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Description: In This Issue: The Evolution of Letter Vitamins & Multiples, Cognitive Health, 2017 Best New Products, and Dental & Oral Care

www.vitaminretailer.com Don t miss a single issue of VR ... go online to renew your free subscription today VitaminRetailer.com December17 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com nahs for info about this advertiser Go to www.vitaminretailer.com wakunaga for info about this advertiser d o ou ter Pr or p up S f TABLEOFCONTENTS 2017 DECEMBER17 VOLUME 24 NUMBER 12 26 29 34 44 Features 26 The Evolution of Letter Vitamins & Multiples Retailers can expect new developments from well-established letter and multivitamins. www.facebook.com vitaminretailermagazine 29 Vitamin Retailer s 2017 Best New Products For the 10th consecutive year VR editors and retailers assembled the year s best new natural products on the market 34 Something to Think About Sustaining cognitive abilities is more than a desire today it s a need as lives are busier than ever. Here s why emphasizing this category is a good thought. Visit VitaminRetailer.com FreeProductInfo for FREE Product Information or Samples from All Vitamin Retailer Advertisers Also Sign Up for the FREE E-newsletter VitaminRetailer.com Columns 4 38 42 Off the Cuff Supplement Science Healthy Shopper 43 44 46 Product Spotlight Sports Nutrition Natural Medicine Departments 6 8 10 16 24 Hot Sellers Behind the Counter Industry News Association News Research Update 48 51 51 51 52 New Products Off the Press Advertiser Index Industry Events Back Talk Copyright 2017. Vitamin Retailer (ISSN 1537-503x & USPS 0019-972) Volume 24 Number 12 December 2017. Vitamin Retailer is published monthly by VRM Media 431 Cranbury Road Suite C East Brunswick NJ 08816 USA Phone (732) 432-9600 Fax (732) 432-9288. All rights reserved including the right to reproduce in whole or in part. Not responsible for unsolicited material. Opinions expressed in by-lined articles or advertisements are not necessarily those of Vitamin Retailer or its owners. Publisher is not liable for advertiser product claims or representations. Advertisers assume total responsibility for the contents of their advertisements. Printed in U.S.A. Basic annual subscription rate is 60. Periodicals postage paid at New Brunswick NJ 08899 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER Send all UAA to VRM Media 431 Cranbury Road Suite C East Brunswick NJ 08816. NON-POSTAL AND MILITARY FACILITIES send address corrections to Vitamin Retailer P.O. Box 15186 North Hollywood CA 91615-5186. Subscription Customer Service Vitamin Retailer P.O. Box 15186 North Hollywood CA 91615-5186 USA Phone (818) 286-3168 Fax (800) 869-0040 vrecs magserv.com www.vitaminretailer.com. Back Issues & Single Copies For order information contact (732) 432-9600 or general vitaminretailer.com. August issue is 25.00. October issue is 45.00. All other issues are 8.00 each. 2 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com xlear for info about this advertiser OFFTHECUFF Best of Natural 2017 t is always fun to write Vitamin Retailer (VR) magazine s best new products of the year article. Choosing winners however is not easy. This year I was assigned the task but it s really a group effort that decides what products get chosen. First the VR editorial team sifts through hundreds if not thousands of emails we receive throughout the year. We also check the year s New Products department in the magazine and sort through the many items we spotted at trade shows. And that s just the beginning. We then ask a group of trusted retailers for their input and expert opinions. With their confirmation the top 10 products are chosen. I believe this year s 10 winners are an interesting group. For example who would think a product called My Magic Mud would be such a big hit for cleaning and whitening teeth Retailer Ramona Billingslea from Betsy s Health Foods in Houston TX recalled her first reaction to the product. Once you get past the sight of your mouth full of black teeth this product does a good job of leaving your mouth feeling truly refreshed she said. If you haven t tried it yet yes this I activated charcoal toothpaste does that The judges were also impressed with Garden of Life s comprehensive new Sport line for its great-tasting clean-label products. Another unique product line that the team found noteworthy is Carlson s Olive your Heart oils. These omega-3 olive oil blends are not meant for cooking but can be used with a variety of foods and would make an excellent healthy addition for holiday entertaining. Visit www.vitaminretailer.com to see a video from Expo East that features Chef Linda Rubin demonstrating the oils with food pairing ideas that can be shared with your customers. There s also a mineral therapy product. According to the creators taking a chemical analysis of the most healing natural springs found throughout the world formed the Medicine Springs products. They leveraged the results removed the water separated the compounds isolated the reactions and packaged it. The end results are products that can turn an ordinary bathtub or hot tub into a healing mineral hot spring. Please see the article on page 29 to read about these and the other top new products of the year. Last but not least the VRM staff would like to wish our readers a very happy and healthy holiday season and a prosperous New Year Publisher Daniel McSweeney Editorial Director DanM VRMmedia.com Associate Russ Fields Publisher RussF VRMmedia.com Advertising Gary Pfaff Sales Manager GaryP VRMmedia.com Editor-in-Chief Janet Poveromo JanetP VRMmedia.com Managing Editor Shari Barbanel ShariB VRMmedia.com Associate Nicholas Saraceno Editor NicoS VRMmedia.com Art Director Robert Certo Production Manager RobertC VRMmedia.com Production Assistant Bryan Zak Graphic Designer BryanZ VRMmedia.com Contributing Writers Gene Bruno MS MHS Michael T. Murray ND Mark Becker Lisa Schofield Circulation Rosie Brodsky Manager Rosie StarkServices.com VRM Media Phone Fax E-mail Website President 431 Cranbury Road Ste. C East Brunswick NJ 08816 (732) 432-9600 (732) 432-9288 info VRMmedia.com www.vitaminretailer.com Daniel McSweeney DanM VRMmedia.com information for and about the dietary supplement industry in order to foster industry growth and help preserve the rights of dietary supplement suppliers and retailers. Subscription Customer Service To order a subscription or manage your account please contact us at Vitamin Retailer P.O. Box 15186 North Hollywood CA 91615-5186 USA Phone (818) 286-3168 Fax (800) 869-0040 vrecs magserv.com www.vitaminretailer.com Mission Vitamin Retailer magazine Statement is dedicated to providing Connect With Us Back Issues See the Table of Contents page for price and order information. www.twitter.com www.facebook.com vitaminretailer vitaminretailermagazine www.linkedin.com company vrm-media www.instagram.com www.pinterest.com vitaminretailermagazine vrm_media 4 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com scandinavian for info about this advertiser HOTSELLERS Hot Sellers is a monthly what s hot at retail snapshot of six categories of products sold in health food stores across the U.S. by region provided by a Retailer Advisory Board of participating stores. Regarding MegaFood s Blood Builder We have a lot of people who suffer from anemia. Our best consumer is an informed consumer. It s our job to impart that education. --Michael Phillips Buyer and Supplement Specialist Savemart NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST SAVEMART Lancaster PA VITAMIN MINERAL SUPPLEMENT mykind Organics line by Garden of Life SPECIALTY SUPPLEMENT CBD Oil by PLUS CBD CV Sciences HERBS BOTANICALS Anti-V Formula by Natural Factors FUNCTIONAL FOOD BEVERAGE RAW Protein & Greens by Garden of Life PERSONAL CARE Skin Care Products by Allure HOT PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Blood Builder by MegaFood JUICES WILD Buford GA VITAMIN MINERAL SUPPLEMENT Source of Life Magnesium by Nature s Plus SPECIALTY SUPPLEMENT Black Castor Oil by Natural Living International HERBS BOTANICALS StressCare by Himalaya Herbal Healthcare FUNCTIONAL FOOD BEVERAGE Wheat Grass by Vonnie s Greens PERSONAL CARE Shower Filters by New Wave Enviro HOT PRODUCT OF THE MONTH CBD Products by PLUS CBD CV Sciences Earth Science Tech and HempFusion MIDWEST CENTRAL BETSY S HEALTH FOODS Houston TX VITAMIN MINERAL SUPPLEMENT Whole Earth & Sea Women s and Men s 50 Multivitamin & Mineral by Natural Factors SPECIALTY SUPPLEMENT InflamMove by Betsy s Basics HERBS BOTANICALS Skinny Garcinia by Bluebonnet FUNCTIONAL FOOD BEVERAGE Coconut Oil by Nature s Way PERSONAL CARE Spry Fluoride-free Peppermint Toothpaste by Xlear HOT PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Stress Recovery Essential Oil Formula by Veriditas THE SUPPLEMENT STATION Salem OH VITAMIN MINERAL SUPPLEMENT Vitamin D3 by NOW SPECIALTY SUPPLEMENT Purebiotics by Pure Essence Labs HERBS BOTANICALS Turmeric Force by New Chapter FUNCTIONAL FOOD BEVERAGE Apple Cider Vinegar by Bragg PERSONAL CARE Alvera Deodorant by Texas Best Unlimited HOT PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Lavender Essential Oil by NOW Foods NORTHWEST WEST GOOD HEALTH MARKET Sheridan WY VITAMIN MINERAL SUPPLEMENT Vitamin D3 by NOW SPECIALTY SUPPLEMENT Stops Leg & Foot Cramps by Caleb Treez HERBS BOTANICALS Black Cherry Concentrate by Natural Sources FUNCTIONAL FOOD BEVERAGE Whey Protein Concentrate by Bob s Red Mill PERSONAL CARE Olive Oil Bar Soap by Kiss My Face HOT PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol Liquid by Sovereign Silver HOP IN FOR HEALTH Thornton CO VITAMIN MINERAL SUPPLEMENT Vitamin B12 by Liquid Health SPECIALTY SUPPLEMENT 35 Percent Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide by O-W & Company HERBS BOTANICALS Digestive Enzymes by Nature s Sunshine FUNCTIONAL FOOD BEVERAGE Apple Cider Vinegar by Bragg PERSONAL CARE Deodorant Mouthwash by Young Living Essential Oils HOT PRODUCT OF THE MONTH The Cleaner Formula by Century Systems Retailers interested in having their stores featured in Hot Sellers can visit vitaminretailer.com hotsellers. 6 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com cvc for info about this advertiser BEHINDTHECOUNTER Health and Family are a Tradition on Chicago s South Side is not an option right now MahlerSpeh said. We would have to relocate again Store Layout SOUTHTOWN HEALTH FOODS (CHICAGO IL) n the bustling streets of Chicago s South Side one will find Southtown Health Foods a family-run natural products store that has been in business for 70 years. In 1948 the family s matriarch Frieda Mahler who was also a private duty nurse and mother of five children first purchased a small health food store in the Southtown neighborhood of Chicago at 63rd and Halsted. Her husband Emil Mahler a cabinetmaker assembled the shelving and the displays. Years later in 1990 following relocation in 1962 Southtown moved to its current location on West 95th Street. Frieda and Emil s son Emil Spahler and his wife Mary Ann Spahler now own the business while their daughter Katie Mahler-Speh and her husband Michael Speh serve as the general managers. The original Mahlers (Frieda and Emil) lived to be 98 and 99 years old respectively. Though the store has been passed down through the generations the retailers mantra has always been that family goes beyond next of kin and is about the entire neighborhood. They see their role in the community to be the one store where people can get healthy food products nutritional supplements and the knowledge needed to make the best choices when it comes to their personal health and well being. In response patrons are eager to experience the pleasant shopping experience. In fact customers have embraced the store to the point there is practically no room for parking. Currently we are in need of more parking but that O Since its very first store which was estimated to be no larger than 500 square feet the retailer has increased competitor is The Vitamin Shoppe. In its square footage by about ninefold order to remain competitive with standing at 4 500 square feet mass market stores and chains Mahler-Speh said. Southtown has taken various steps Features include including becoming a member of the A juice bar upon entering which Independent Natural Food Retailers comprises 10 percent of the store Association (INFRA) a Minnesota The grocery department includbased buying group that strives for ing an organic produce stand along better pricing. with a refrigerator and freezer section Furthermore Emil Mahler is also (40 percent) involved with the NPA (Natural Supplements herbs tea protein Products Association). Over the years and personal care products (50 perhe s assisted the association in varicent). ous capacities According to Mahler-Speh In 1986 he was the NPA presiSouthtown is a full grocery store dent. except it does not carry fresh In 2016 he was awardmeat fish or deli items. ed the Socially However there is a Responsible Retailer strong focus on Award. vegan and vege For this curtarian glutenrent term (2017and allergy-free 2018) he was foods and most elected as secof the store s retary. foods are However from organic and a more macro non-GMO perspective the (genetically modretailer thrives off ified organism). Emil Mahler (left) Katie its service educatSouthtown carries ed employees and Mahler-Speh (center) a plethora of brands as alluded to previousMichael Speh (right) including (but not limitly its friendly family-like ed to) Ancient Nutrition environment. Garden of Life Vibrant Health Our customers keep coming back Europharma MegaFood Carlson s to us because we offer great service Andalou Naturals Pharma Aloe and Mahler-Speh noted. We always have Natural Factors. very educated staff on the floor to And notably the store is considhelp assist and educate our cusered one of Carlson Laboratories first tomers. If they have questions we go and most loyal customers--and has above and beyond to help them. been recognized by the company. When you come into Southtown Emil and Mary Ann were awarded it s like the motto from Cheers by the Carlsons for being their where everyone knows your name. longest buying customers MahlerAt any given time there is a crowd Speh said. We have been buying around the juice bar hanging out from them for about 52 years. waiting for their juice--kind of like being at a real bar. We really have Competition & Beyond fun at work--we have a good posiThe store s closest natural products tive vibe. VR WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 8 VITAMIN RETAILER Go to www.vitaminretailer.com naturalfactors for info about this advertiser INDUSTRYNEWS Got News Send news press releases to Editor Vitamin Retailer 431 Cranbury Road Ste. C East Brunswick NJ 08816 JanetP VRMmedia.com MegaFood Announces Entire Line of Products Certified Glyphosate Residue Free ew Hampshire-based MegaFood announced that its entire line is now certified glyphosate residue free (GRF). The Detox Project an independent research and certification organization granted the certification after MegaFood submitted its products to an independent third-party laboratory for testing and was found to have met The Detox Project s stringent standards. We re honored to be the first supplement company with a completely glyphosate residue free certified line of products said Robert U. Craven president and CEO of FoodState Inc. manufacturer and parent company of MegaFood. Earning this certification is just one part of our continued commitment toward what we call The Big T Transparency which is complete operational transparency with our employees suppliers retailers and customers. More than that it s the principle our company was founded on a commitment to quality and purity above all so that we can provide our N customers with the most authentic nourishment possible. Glyphosate the active ingredient in Roundup is the No. 1 herbicide used in the United States. It s sprayed heavily on GMO (genetically modified organism) crops and conventionally grown agricultures at harvest and used frequently in home gardens public parks and schools. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified glyphosate as probably carcinogenic in humans and linked its use to lymphoma. Organic farming bans the use of glyphosate and other fertilizers antibiotics and growth hormones. MegaFood customers are highly conscientious they care just as much as what goes into their bodies as what doesn t including toxins. We share their concerns about the use of herbicides and pesticides in our food chain said Craven. Our hope as a company is that other supplement manufacturers will eventually follow suit in earning their own GRF certifications. Providing customers with top-tier products isn t just good business it s good for people period. Henry Rowlands founder of The Detox Project is also excited about his organization s partnership with MegaFood. I m delighted that MegaFood as a leader for transparency within the supplement world has decided to certify glyphosate residue free. Consumers want to avoid toxic chemicals such as glyphosate in the food products and supplements they buy and currently one of the only ways to do this is to look for our label said Rowlands. For more information visit www.detoxproject.org or www.megafood.com. Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation Awards 2.2 Million to Nonprofits he Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation announced it would award 2.2 million to nonprofit organizations that specialize in promoting health and nutrition education. Created in 2015 the Foundation raises funds through company and team member contributions vendor partnerships and customer support and identifies nonprofits that reflect the company s brand purpose of inspiring healthy living for all. Sprouts is proud to partner with organizations that share our mission to inspire educate and empower every person to live a healthier life. We re creating lasting change in our local communities by collaborating on programs like nutrition curriculum for elementary school students and urban gardening projects in neighborhoods with limited access to fresh affordable produce said Lyndsey Waugh executive director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. T As part of this year s donations the Foundation has committed 875 000 in multi-year support of organizations that align with its commitment to empowering children to make healthier food choices through nutrition education and hands-on learning. The Foundation s support provides these partners with the necessary funding to scale up expand and replicate programs that make a long-lasting impact in their community. Newly named partners include Denver Urban Gardens--A pioneer in community gardening Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) operates a network of 165 neighborhood and school-based gardens. The Foundation s 500 000 investment in DUG will create 10 new gardens and expand the organization s Youth Farm Stand and teacher training programs. Soil Born Farms--An urban agriculture and education project Soil Born Farms empowers youth and adults in the Sacramento CA area to discover local food systems and practice healthy living. The Foundation s 225 000 investment will fund Grow Together the nonprofit s school gardening program at 10 elementary school sites. Spaces of Opportunity--Located in south Phoenix AZ Spaces of Opportunity will transform an 18-acre piece of land from a food desert to a food oasis providing low-income families and community members access to fresh affordable produce. The Foundation s 150 000 investment will help fund the farm s community outreach and youth education programs. For more information visit www.sprouts.com. 10 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com autismhopealliance for info about this advertiser INDUSTRYNEWS Study Shows Gymnemic Acid Lozenge Reduces Desire for High-Sugar Foods esearch indicates that an initial taste of a high-sugar food (HSF) increases the desire for more and that consumption of high-sugar foods results in weight gain. Obesity and being overweight is a serious public health problem. In a recent study investigators at the Oregon Research Institute (ORI) in Eugene OR found that consuming a sweet-taste-suppressing lozenge containing gymnemic acid GA (Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract) produced a 31 percent reduction in desire for candy and a 44 percent reduction in total candy intake. The results published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. In this double-blind experiment 67 adults selected a favorite candy consumed one standardized serving rated candy pleasantness along with desire for more candy and were randomly assigned to consume a GA or placebo R lozenge. They subsequently completed candy desire ratings and were offered additional candy servings one at a time. If an offering was accepted it was consumed pleasantness and desire ratings were reported and another serving was offered. Given that overconsumption of highsugar foods causes weight gain which increases risk for morbidity and mortality it is vital to identify a way to help people make healthier food choices noted Eric Stice PhD principal investigator on the study. These findings suggest that the gymnemic lozenge immediately reduces high-sugar food intake. GAs are triterpenoid saponin glycosides isolated from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre a woody vine that has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Chewing the leaves of this plant suppresses the taste of sweetness from sugars and sugar substitutes by inhibiting sweet taste receptors on the tongue. Results from this randomized betweensubjects placebo-controlled experiment confirmed that participants who consumed the GA lozenge were significantly less likely to choose to eat their preferred candy relative to those who consumed the placebo. The GA lozenge produced a 44 percent reduction in total candy intake compared to the placebo this effect was both statistically significant and clinically meaningful. To ORI s knowledge this is the first experiment to provide behavioral evidence that a GA lozenge immediately reduces consumption of an HSF. The gymnema lozenges used in this study were provided by New York-based Crave Crush LLC and are marketed under the names Crave Crush and Sweet Defeat. For more information visit www.ori.org or www.cravecrush.com. Consumer Group Welcomes Removal Trace Minerals ConcenTrace of Misleading Nutritional Scoring Wins Silver Medal From System from Grocery Shelves National Nutrition he National Consumers League (Washington D.C. NCL) has welcomed news that a supermarket-based nutritional scoring system of food products called NuVal which at its peak was used in 1 600 grocery stores nationwide has been discontinued. For the last five years NCL has been a vocal critic of NuVal s controversial ratings system. In a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 NCL called NuVal fatally flawed pointed out that it gave some junk foods higher nutritional ratings than canned fruit and called for its investigation and removal from grocery stores. NuVal scored food on a scale of 1-100 with printed labels appearing on shelves next to price labels in stores that used the system. NuVal claimed to help consumers compare products by simplifying their nutritional value--the higher the number the better the nutrition. The NuVal rating system was fatally flawed and its removal from grocery store shelves is a win for consumers said National Consumers League Executive Director Sally Greenberg. Its proprietary algorithmic formula which was not made transparent to consumers or the scientific community resulted in snack chips soft drinks and desserts being given as high or higher nutritional scores than some canned fruits and vegetables. We welcome the news that NuVal has been discontinued nationally. The consumer group criticized NuVal s nutritional ratings as confusing--not helpful--to consumers trying to make healthy decisions for their families and called on the FDA to step in and set industry-wide standards to govern such systems so that they truly benefit nutrition-minded consumers. Other critics questioned conflicts of interest behind NuVal s research and food manufacturers. For more information visit www.nclnet.org. 12 VITAMIN RETAILER T race Minerals Research (TMR Utah) announced that ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops has been awarded a Silver Medal in the Best Mineral category by National Nutrition an online retail store located in Orillia ON Canada with more than 50 team members and more than 25 years of experience in the Canadian natural products industry. It is such a tremendous honor to have our No. 1 product be recognized as one of the best mineral products in the Canadian market said Matt Kilts managing partner of TMR. This is indeed a highlight for our company to be recognized internationally and to be able to see our products help so many people in Canada in their quest for health and wellness. The National Nutrition Awards recognize excellence in products service and performance within the Canadian natural health industry. Winners are selected during an extensive process by the awards jury which is based on a combination of National Nutrition staff votes and customer feedback. TMR was selected out of 300 other manufacturers and more than 8 000 products. As natural health care advocates we all play an important role in the future of healthy Canadians said Darren Firth CEO and founder of National Nutrition. We hope that by recognizing the top performers in our industry it will solidify and encourage continued commitment toward innovation and passion for alternative and complementary medicine in our country. For more information visit www.nnawards.ca or www.traceminerals.com. T WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com emeraldhealthbio for info about this advertiser INDUSTRYNEWS The Osso Good Company (San Rafael CA) announced the addition of natural products innovator social entrepreneur and author Tyler Gage to its board of directors. Gage will serve as a strategic advisor to the brand while helping to accomplish its mission of making the nutrientMELISSA TYLER GAGE dense power of healing foods easily accessible LEFFINGWELL for all. New York-based Bioforce USA has added Melissa Leffingwell to its management team as Western regional sales director. She has more than 19 years of total sales experience in which eight have been devoted to sales management of natural brands in the beauty grocery and herbal supplement industries. Don t miss a single issue of VR ... go online to renew your free subscription today VitaminRetailer.com December17 14 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com naturalfactors for info about this advertiser ASSOCIATIONNEWS Supplement Industry and Anti-Doping Agency Warn Consumers on SARMs he dietary supplement industry s leading trade associations and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) have joined in support of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration s (FDA) recent actions to protect consumers from bodybuilding products containing selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) illegally marketed as dietary supplements. SARMs are dangerous and illegal and they pose an immediate risk to consumers jeopardize the careers of athletes and have no place in any sports nutrition regimen according to a press release issued by the group. Together the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Natural Products Association (NPA) United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) and USADA share concerns about these products and are supporting FDA s efforts to crack down on companies unlawfully manufacturing products containing SARMs. As recognized in a recent FDA advisory products containing these ingredients are not dietary supplements they are unapproved drugs that have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. Prohibited under the S1 Anabolic Agent category of the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List SARMs have raised serious concerns for FDA USADA and the legitimate dietary supplement industry as they have the T potential to be misused for athletic performance enhancement due to their anabolic properties and their ability to stimulate androgen receptors in muscle and bone. SARMs are not approved for human use or consumption in the United States but despite being prohibited SARMs have been found in a number of adulterated products falsely labeled as dietary supplements. Some products list the ingredient as ostarine --one ingredient in the class of SARMs--but the ingredients may also go by an alternative name or be entirely undisclosed on the label. In addition to alerting consumers the five supplement industry trade associations have taken action to remind member companies of the responsibility to ensure that SARMs are not used in their products. USADA issues educational resources on an ongoing basis to warn athletes and sports organizations of the negative consequences resulting from using products that contain SARMs including sanctions and suspension. The industry groups and USADA are committed to amplifying consumer alerts warnings issued by FDA and to disseminating tips consumers can use to make smart decisions when choosing sports nutrition products. FDA regulates the dietary supplement industry and this advisory puts companies on notice that those failing to comply with the law are subject to strict enforcement actions. Additionally the advisory serves as a reminder to consumers--particularly amateur and elite athletes--to educate themselves on the dangers SARMs-tainted products pose. There are legitimate sports nutrition dietary supplements that are safe beneficial and not prohibited by WADA and it is important for all consumers including athletes to engage in due diligence when deciding which products to use and which companies to purchase products from. Further consumers should maintain an open dialogue with health care practitioners and as appropriate trusted coaches and trainers when incorporating products into their training programs or performance goals. Finally consumers would be wise to manage expectations for their sports nutrition supplement products and should not purchase dietary supplements claiming to have drug-like effects. For more information visit www.ahpa.org www.chpa.org www.crnusa.org www.npainfo.org www.unpa.com or www.usada.org. ABC Publishes Online Version of The Identification of Medicinal Plants T he American Botanical Council (ABC) announced a new benefit for its members around the world the online publication of The Identification of Medicinal Plants A Handbook of the Morphology of Botanicals in Commerce a manual that addresses the macroscopic assessment of 124 medicinal plants used in North America and Europe. The book was originally co-published in 2006 by ABC with the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. It was written by 16 VITAMIN RETAILER Wendy Applequist PhD associate curator at the Missouri Botanical Garden s William L. Brown Center and illustrated with botanically accurate black-and-white line drawings by artist Barbara Alongi. ABC is pleased to be able to make this important book available to its members particularly those in academic analytical research and in the herb industry noted ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. Because many botanical raw materials used in the current herb industry are either cut plant parts (e.g. for use as teas) or powders (to be made into capsules or tablets) many companies never receive and process whole plants or whole plant parts. In such cases microscopy chemical analysis and or genetic (DNA) testing are required analytical methods. But for growers wildcrafters collectors processors and others who deal with whole plants and their whole parts this manual is a highly valuable quality control resource. The Identification of Medicinal Plants will be available online to ABC members at the Professional level and above. For more information visit www.abc.herbalgram.org. WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com naturalfactors for info about this advertiser ASSOCIATIONNEWS CRN Announces Dates for 2018 The Workshop and The Conference he Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has announced that CRN s annual educational networking events--The Workshop CRN s Day of Science and The Conference CRN s Annual Symposium for the Dietary Supplement Industry-- will be held October 17-20 2018 at The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point CA. The Workshop is a full-day scientific T symposium on October 17 convening expert speakers for highly relevant scientific discussions on dietary supplement and nutrition topics including forward-looking research and closing with an evening reception that also marks the start of The Conference. CRN s conference features thoughtprovoking sessions spanning a range of topics including business and marketing regulation government affairs and more and lasts through Saturday morning with a popular Breakfast With ... session and additional content. CRN s events also offer prime opportunities to connect with industry colleagues and meet new people. Additional details and registration for The Workshop and The Conference will be available mid-2018 at www.crnusa.org 2018events. THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR HEALTH AND NATURAL PRODUCT RETAILERS LIKE US ON New Book Compiles List of Pre-DSHEA Dietary Ingredients new book from the Natural Products Association (NPA) compiles the first ever list of pre-DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994) dietary ingredients according to the association. The NPA book titled Pre-DSHEA List of Old Dietary Ingredients is now available for pre-sale starting until the end of the year for members non-members federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). It will also be available as a searchable database for NPA members only. This book is the first of its kind and should serve as a valuable tool for industry regulatory divisions retailers industry consultants as well as state and federal regulators said Dan Fabricant PhD president and CEO of NPA and one of the book s authors. NPA continues to work with the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) in their quest to develop a list of its pre-DSHEA dietary ingredients that are exempt from notification. This book represents a considerable investment of NPA s resources and took over two years to develop. We look forward to releasing new editions of the book as we add new independently verified ingredients to this extensive collection. This book written and compiled by Fabricant and Dr. Corey Hilmas alphabetically organizes a list of pre-DSHEA or old dietary ingredients (ODIs) that were marketed and sold prior to October 15 1994 the implementation date for DSHEA. These dietary ingredients would be exempt from filing notifications with FDA as new dietary ingredients (NDIs). The ingredient names contain reference citations to the original printed source material which consists of NPA s own printed magazines and newsletters over the decades. The ingredient listing also includes ingredients submitted as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) notices to FDA with no further comment by the agency. As there has not yet been an authoritative list of ODIs this will be the first pre-DSHEA ODI list to be published and available to the public. For those who are unsure whether a dietary ingredient is grandfathered under DSHEA (pre-DSHEA dietary ingredient or ODI) or is a NDI requiring notification under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act this book will serve as a useful regulatory guidepost. The book contains an index of more than 1 850 ingredients to make searching easier. This dietary ingredient list is available at 2 000 for members and 10 000 for non-members. There will be an additional upcharge for industry consultants state and federal regulatory agencies libraries and NGOs. For more information visit www.npainfo.org. A VR s Upcoming Issue Highlights February 1 8 18 ad closing Heart Health Company Profiles March 1 29 18 ad closing Digestive Health Natural Product Expo West Show Issue April 2 28 18 ad closing Sports Nutrition Pet Health May 4 4 18 ad closing Weight Management Science of Supplements--Summer Issue Private Label Annual Vity Awards Issue June 5 3 18 ad closing Our 2018 Media Planner Is Available At VitaminRetailer.com 2018-Media-Planner Contact One of Our Ad Specialists Today Russ Fields at (732) 432-9600 ext. 102 or e-Mail RussF VRMmedia.com Gary Pfaff at (732) 432-9600 ext. 103 or e-Mail GaryP VRMmedia.com 18 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com balchem for info about this advertiser ASSOCIATIONNEWS Delaying Food Labeling Rules is Consistent With Trump s Pledge to Overhaul the Regulatory System and Grow The Economy Says NPA he Natural Products Association (NPA) has submitted a formal request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an extension of the comment period by 90 days regarding the opportunity to comment on the newly proposed compliance dates published on October 2 for both Nutrition and Supplement Facts and Serving Size Final Rules. President Trump has successfully cut hundreds of burdensome and costly regulations to protect taxpayers and grow the economy said Dan Fabricant PhD president and CEO of NPA. Providing small and mediumsized businesses more time to comply with the FDA s food labeling rule is consistent with the President s promises to overhaul the regulatory system and grow the economy. Given the complexity and technical nature of this final rule the obvious need for more empirical research by the agency to support their changes the significant economic burden to industry to implement these changes quickly more time is needed for the T industry to prepare a response and ensure the best outcome for consumers of dietary supplement conventional foods and other natural products added Fabricant. An extension of the implemented compliance dates will allow the executive branch to assess these regulations under the lens of President Trump s regulatory reform agenda as to whether these changes are even warranted. It will also give time to FDA to conduct empirical consumer research studies that support changes to the Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels and a proper analysis of the economic and regulatory impact to industry. The industry and FDA are familiar with NPA s citizen s petition to stay the implementation of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts final rule. We are asking FDA to extend the comment period of this notice for 90 more days to allow for additional stakeholder comment to increase their newly proposed compliance dates from 1.5 years to three years reopen the comment period up for these final rules amendments and all guidance documents associated with these two rules and conduct reasonable empirical studies with transparent methods that are publicly available that support their findings to mandate the changes proposed in these two final rules Fabricant continued. We would also like the economic impact analysis to represent true costs to the industry including the costs of adopting their dietary fiber substantiation guidance which was borne out of the Nutrition and Supplement Facts final rule. Extending the comment period here is a necessary first step to collect the diverse opinions from across the industry and ensure that consumers continue to have access to safe healthy and affordable foods dietary supplements and other natural products. For more information visit www.npainfo.org App_Themes NPA d ocs press Documents NPA%20Comme nts%20-%20extension%20of%20 compliance%20dates%20for%20NFL% 20and%20SFL%20-%20final.pdf. CRN Announces Supplement OWL Advisory Board T he Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has announced the creation of an Advisory Board for the Supplement OWL (Online Wellness Library) the dietary supplement product registry. Eight individuals have been appointed to serve on the Board including representatives from dietary supplement companies (CRN members and non-members) and other representatives of the industry along with two technical advisors. According to CRN President and CEO Steve Mister The Advisory Board brings together stakeholders from all corners of the supplement industry and provides a forum to discuss the forward progress of the Supplement OWL. The goal is to take a critical look at the registry and continually find ways to improve upon the successes already actualized and find new ways to optimize the experiences of both users and participants. Appointees to the Supplement OWL 20 VITAMIN RETAILER Advisory Board are Jeff Brams general counsel and vice president science & international Garden of Life Michael Cleary PhD director of research and development SmartyPants Mike Devereux CEO Nature s Way Randy King senior vice president governance & compliance New Chapter Inc. Carlotta Mast executive director of content & insights New Hope Natural Media Steve Mister president & CEO CRN Guru Ramanathan PhD chief innovation officer and senior vice president GNC Pam Walker head of global sales materials & ingredients UL Non-voting Technical Advisors to the Board are Duffy MacKay ND senior vice president scientific & regulatory affairs CRN Alec Miller director of software development UL The majority of the appointees have been involved with the Supplement OWL since its inception said Mister. Having an intimate knowledge of the roots of the registry the members of this Board will be able to offer insight and constructive feedback that speaks to the OWL s past present and future. As the Supplement OWL continues to gain momentum throughout the industry it s crucial that the registry evolves to accommodate increased demand and participation Mister continued. Though just six months old the registry already contains an appreciable amount of product labels and is being noticed by regulators retailers and other target audiences. Through its work and regular meetings the Supplement OWL Advisory Board will ensure the registry lives up to its potential. For more information visit www.supplementowl.org. WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com naxa for info about this advertiser ASSOCIATIONNEWS NPA Sends Cease and Desist Letter to SENPA n September SENPA a non-profit trade association located in New Port Richey FL and producers of SOHO Expo and Strategies for Success Road Shows announced branding initiatives and that it will no longer charter with the Natural Products Association (NPA). In response NPA released the following statement regarding a cease and desist letter it sent to SENPA for trademark infringement and unfair competition NPA will not permit unaffiliated organizations to trade on its reputation and goodwill and harm its national and state advocacy efforts. The actions-- taken by SENPA--to open up their membership to those outside its region and infringe on NPA s trademarks-- while they were still serving on NPA s Board of Directors is an undisclosed conflict and breach of duties owed to NPA. It s unclear how such activities would ever be envisioned as helping I to strengthen the industry or to help NPA the oldest and largest association that has been fighting for the industry for over 80 years. NPA is as strong today as we have ever been and we are confident that we will continue to grow stronger as an association as natural products continue to gain popularity with our customers in the U.S. and across the globe. Our membership is at a very healthy level which we believe is a result of our dedication to strong advocacy whether it s federal state local or internationally NPA s premier industry education programs and our commitment to individual member service. We are also encouraged by the success of our modernization and reorganization plan as we work to maintain our preeminence as the industry s largest and most influential trade association in the natural products and dietary supplement spaces. State legislatures and state attorneys general are becoming increasingly active on issues related to our industry and NPA is responding in kind with smart timely and effective strategies to ensure that our collective interests are represented both nationally and in all states. For more information visit www.npainfo.org. CRN Welcomes Six New Companies Website Honored With 2017 Communicator Award he Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) recently announced six new companies have joined the association s membership ranks. These companies include Voting Members--Catalent Jigsaw Health LLC RoundTable Healthcare Partners Santa Cruz Nutritionals Vitabiotics and Associate Member--Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. CRN recently also received a 2017 Communicator Award for the redesign of CRN s website from Balance Interactive a Northern Virginia-based full-service digital agency the redesign of CRN s website. According to the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA) the Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program recognizing big ideas in marketing and communications. Each year the Communicator Awards receives more than 6 000 entries from companies and agencies of all sizes. We re pleased to see our new site honored with this prestigious award and thank AIVA for its T recognition said Judy Blatman senior vice president communications CRN. Partnering with Balance Interactive enabled us to create a website that is visually appealing and technically improved allowing us to more easily showcase responsible industry and the important work CRN and its member companies do. CRN publicly launched its redesigned website this past January establishing a fresh modern virtual home base for the association. Enhancing the user experience and simplifying navigation the new CRN website is designed to grow with the industry and provides visitors with easy to access information about CRN and the industry in the areas of science regulation and self-regulation legislation and consumer trends. In addition to its public-facing features the website also features a dynamic members-only section that permits access to exclusive alerts announcements and documents. The interactive new website can viewed from a desktop computer tablet or mobile phone and features a strong search engine. Websites are often the first impression people get of an association and we wanted to create something that reflected the professionalism the industry knowledge and the innovation that are hallmarks of CRN and its member companies added Blatman. We hope that as industry continues to grow the CRN website will serve as a key resource for those inside and outside the industry. For more information visit www.crnusa.org. 22 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com drwillard for info about this advertiser RESEARCHUPDATE Broccoli May Be Good For the Gut n a study when mice ate broccoli with their regular diet they were better able to tolerate digestive issues similar to symptoms of leaky gut and colitis than mice that were not placed on a broccoli-supplemented diet according to Gary Perdew the John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor in Agricultural Sciences Penn State. He added that other vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and cauliflower may also have similar gut health properties. There are a lot of reasons we want to explore helping with gastrointestinal health and one reason is if you have problems like a leaky gut and start to suffer inflammation that may then lead to other conditions like arthritis and heart disease said Perdew. Keeping your gut healthy and making sure you have good barrier functions so you re not getting this leaky effect would be really big. Good intestinal barrier function means that the gastrointestinal tract is helping protect the intestines from toxins and harmful microorganisms while allowing nutrients to pass into the system he said. According to Perdew the key to the process may be a receptor in the gut I called Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). The receptor helps the body regulate its reaction to certain environmental contaminants as well as triggers other responses to toxin exposure. The researchers who released their findings in the current issue of the Journal of Functional Foods suggest that cruciferous vegetables--such as broccoli Brussels sprouts and cabbage--contain an organic chemical compound called indole glucosinolates which breaks down into other compounds including indolocarbazole (ICZ) in the stomach. When ICZ binds to and activates the AHR in the intestinal lining it aids in maintaining a healthy balance in the gut flora and immune surveillance and enhances host barrier function according to the researchers. This may help prevent diseases such as various cancers and Crohn s disease caused by inflammation in the lining of the gut. For humans the amount in the experiment would be equivalent to eating about 3.5 cups of broccoli each day according to Perdew. Now three and a half cups is a lot but it s not a huge amount really said Perdew. We used a cultivar--or variety--with about half the amount of this chemical in it and there are cultivars with twice as much. Also Brussels sprouts have three times as much which would mean a cup of Brussels sprouts could get us to the same level. Because people with certain digestive conditions such as colitis are often warned to avoid too much roughage in their diets future research may include determining the best ways for people to consume the broccoli--or other vegetables with similar effects--to receive the same health benefits without causing any other associated digestive problems from the fibrous vegetables. For more information visit www.psu.edu. Black Tea May Help With Weight Loss CLA researchers have demonstrated for the first time that black tea may promote weight loss and other health benefits by changing bacteria in the gut. In a study of mice the scientists showed that black tea alters energy metabolism in the liver by changing gut metabolites. The research was published in the European Journal of Nutrition. The study found that both black and green tea changed the ratio of intestinal bacteria in the animals The percentage of bacteria associated with obesity decreased while bacteria associated with lean body mass increased. Previous studies indicated that chemicals in green tea called polyphenols are absorbed and alter the energy metabolism in the liver. The new findings show that black tea polyphenols which are too large to be absorbed in the small intestine U stimulate the growth of gut bacterium and the formation of short-chain fatty acids a type of bacterial metabolites that has been shown to alter the energy metabolism in the liver. It was known that green tea polyphenols are more effective and offer more health benefits than black tea polyphenols since green tea chemicals are absorbed into the blood and tissue said Susanne Henning the study s lead author and an adjunct professor at the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition which is part of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Our new findings suggest that black tea through a specific mechanism through the gut microbiome may also contribute to good health and weight loss in humans. The results suggest that both green and black teas are prebiotics substances that induce the growth of good microorganisms that contribute to a person s well-being she said. After four weeks the weights of the mice that were given green or black tea extracts dropped to the same levels as those of the mice that received the low-fat diet throughout the study. The researchers also collected samples from the mice s large intestines (to measure bacteria content) and liver tissues (to measure fat deposits). In the mice that consumed either type of tea extract there was less of the type of bacteria associated with obesity and more of the bacteria associated with lean body mass. However only the mice that consumed black tea extract had an increase in a type of bacteria called Pseudobutyrivibrio which could help explain the difference between how black tea and green tea change energy metabolism. For more information visit www.uclahealth.org. 24 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 FAMILY OF PRINT AND DIGITAL MEDIA Branch Out With VRM s Vitamin r.com Retaile NIEmagaz ine.com Fitnes sTrain erMag .com NaturalPr actitionerM ag.com VR s Upcoming Issue Highlights February 1 8 18 ad closing Heart Health Company Profiles March 1 29 18 ad closing Digestive Health Natural Products Expo West Show Issue Our 2018 Media Planner Is Available At VitaminRetailer.com 2018-Media-Planner Contact One of Our Ad Specialists Today Russ Fields at (732) 432-9600 ext. 102 e-Mail RussF VRMmedia.com Gary Pfaff at (732) 432-9600 ext. 103 e-Mail GaryP VRMmedia.com Retailers can expect new developments from well-established letter and multivitamins. By Nicholas Saraceno oday there are 13 known essential or letter vitamins. On its website WebMD provides a breakdown of their functions-- nine of which are water soluble and the remaining four being fat soluble. In short the water soluble ones (B vitamins and vitamin C) travel throughout the body and are excreted by the kidneys while the four fat soluble ones (vitamins A D E and K) are the contrary they are stored in the cells and are not passed as easily. Respectively one requires smaller more frequent doses while the latter requires less but more sufficient servings. There can be confusion as to which vitamin serves what particular function but manufacturers have developed-- and continue to develop--unique formulations that are marketable to both retailers and consumers. T Trends & Delivery Choices When it comes to ingredients used in letter vitamins and multivitamins one perspective centers on the U.S. Food 26 VITAMIN RETAILER and Drug Administration s (FDA) 2016 NDI (new dietary ingredient) Revised Draft Guidance. This mentions the specifics of submitting an NDI notification which involves notifying the FDA of dietary ingredients marketed in the U.S. after October 15 1994. With the FDA s final rule on new dietary ingredients still in limbo there have not been a lot of truly novel ingredients introduced in the last few years because manufacturers don t know what the FDA would require to allow them to be marketed noted Anne Trias product director with Massachusetts-based American River Nutrition producers of DeltaGold Tocotrienols. Instead the best suppliers of branded ingredients are focusing more on scientific substantiation of their existing products and looking into additional applications and dosage forms. Today it s the amount of research on nutraceutical ingredients that impacts trends--just look at curcumin for example Trias said. Given our commitment to research and staying focused on the science we believe the growing body of research will work in our favor as tocotrienols take prominence over the old standby form of tocopherols. The consumer preference for natural as opposed to synthetic gives tocotrienols a clear advantage in this day of clean labels. In fact according to Marci Clow RDN educator with Rainbow Light in California people are looking for clean and more natural products along with transparent business and environmental practices. This has greatly impacted the market as there are many mainstream shoppers who are crossing over to the natural products industry to find brands that are on pulse with this trend. She also referenced data from the National Marketing Institute (NMI) which not only suggests that more than 50 percent of supplement users are more likely to buy products with sustainable or environmentally friendly Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence 1994-2014 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM MAY 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2014 ingredients they prefer to buy supplement ingredients derived from natural and organic sources as well. From a more micro point of view Florida-based Garden of Life currently has a mykind Organics line whose formulas feature extracts and powders from more than 30 organic fruits vegetables and herbs as noted on the manufacturer s website. Some such as vitamin B12 are even available in spray form. Amber Lynn Vitse CN Northeast regional educator for Garden of Life pointed out the importance of utilizing legitimate plant sources. A big trend that we chose to dive into wholeheartedly was to use actual plant sources for the vitamins. Historically there have been synthetics synthetics with added natural cofactors synthetics fermented with foods that usually contain that vitamin and synthetics chelated and complexed into living microorganisms to renature them back to being whole foods she said. I see more and more products besides our Dual Certified mykind Organics letter and multivitamins that include ingredients sourced from true botanicals. In addition Stacey Gillespie director of product marketing with New Hampsirebased MegaFood mentioned that novel delivery forms including gummies and liquids are continuously gaining popularity in this category among adults. Unique Formulations & Developments Rainbow Light offers Vibrance Men s Multivitamin plus Stress Support and Vibrance Women s Multivitamin plus Stress Support both of which are food-based multivitamins that contain full-spectrum highly bioavailable B vitamins and magnesium--they even have targeted gender specific botanicals Clow noted. She added that not only do lifestyle factors such as one s age diet medications environment and the aforementioned stress impact which multivitamin a customer ought to consume but the safety sourcing bioavailability and overall ingredient quality should be also considered. Although vitamin deficiency diseases like scurvy from lack of vitamin C or rickets from lack of vitamin D are rare in today s modern world Clow explained many American diets are still lacking in several nutrients that according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) are low enough to be a public health concern. American diets fall short of the amount considered adequate intake for potassium dietary fiber choline magnesium calcium and vitamins A D E and C. Iron also is under-consumed by adolescent girls and women ages 19 to 50 years. Low intakes for most of these nutrients occur within the context of unhealthy overall eating patterns due to low intakes of the food groups-- vegetables fruits whole grains and dairy--that contain these nutrients. Of the underconsumed nutrients calcium potassium dietary fiber and vitamin D are considered nutrients of public health concern because low intakes are associated with health concerns. Clow continued The DGA s are published every five years and for the first time ever the 2015 2020 revisions acknowledge that fortified foods and dietary supplements may be useful in providing nutrients that otherwise may be consumed in less than recommended amounts. In addition to the DGA data statistics pooled from various U.S. government sponsored studies suggest that marginal deficiencies of selected nutrients exist in about half of the population. With a similar targeted gender specific vision that Rainbow Light stressed MegaFood breaks down the differing health needs of men versus women via its MegaFood Doctor Formulated Multivitamins which were formulated by Tieraona Low Dog MD. The line includes multivitamins designed to support the unique nutritional needs of men and women at various phases of life Gillespie said. The nutritional needs of men and women vary greatly. Take iron for example. Men in general should not supplement their diet with iron whereas women benefit from iron supplementation. Iron supplementation for women however should stop once a woman completes menopause. Women also have higher requirements for folic acid whereas men have higher requirements for B vitamins. All of these factors and others were taken into consideration when formulating the line of MegaFood Doctor Formulated Multivitamins. As for American River Nutrition s DeltaGold it flourishes in the vitamin E category due to its quality of tocotrienols. DeltaGold is unique Trias explained because it is the only tocotrienol ingredient sourced from the annatto plant which is naturally free of tocopherols. Going tocopherol-free is important to prevent any potential hindrance of tocotrienol functions. Further DeltaGold contains exclusively delta- and gamma-tocotrienols the most potent vitamin E isomers for the majority of applications. Among the most prominent attributes of tocotrienols are cardiometabolic and cellular health benefits as well as their more recently discovered bone health benefits. Market Status & Suggestions for Retailers The letter vitamin and multivitamin market continues to show promise for the industry. Letter vitamins and multis have held pretty steady in total dietary supplement sales over the last few years Vitse noted. They remain the most used category of dietary supplements by far. Only innovation in sourcing and third-party certification seems to propel a brand to grow faster than the market in the vitamin category. From a retailer standpoint these items--especially multivitamins--have gained more recognition as a result of customer knowledge. For us the market for letter vitamins has stayed roughly the same but VITAMIN RETAILER 27 DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM I have noticed an increase in demand for multivitamins observed Travis Lemon manager and herbalist at Healthy Life Market in West Virginia. The diversity of multivitamins combined with greater customer awareness of terms like whole-food and coenzymated seem to be the driving force. Lemon recommended that retail staff members know the differences between the various forms of vitamins. The logic informed staff informed customers. Clow even offered some specifics that retailers could follow consisting of marketing and education tips Having an infographic or a handout that can help answer Why take a multivitamin These can be simple yet effective tools for marketing the necessity and importance of multivitamins. Creating end caps or other forms of promotions that encourage and focus on living a healthy lifestyle including choosing a wide variety of foods physical activity lifestyle habits hydration and stress management. The idea of featuring a multivitamin as a part of that healthy lifestyle might also be included. Providing store tours and or educational seminars featuring credentialed presenters incorporating the aforementioned factors and concentrating on how a multivitamin can fit into living a healthy lifestyle. this year [2017] which looked at the safety and rationale of long-term multivitamin use suggesting a link to counteracting potential health issues caused by dietary inadequacy.1 Some vitamins such as vitamin E have existed for decades which signifies one idea progress. Over the years research has continued to evolve and has opened up room for discovery along the lines of tocotrienols and tocopherols the two compounds that comprise this vitamin. Rainbow Light s team closely follows both positive and negative research looking at both individual ingredients and a combination of multivitamin type products. -- Marci Clow RDN Rainbow Light When vitamin E was discovered in 1922 it was only known as tocopherol--the tocotrienol form had not yet been identified--so all the early research was on the tocopherol form said Trias. When demand made truly natural tocopherols impractical research found a way to address that. Today much of the natural alphatocopherol on the market is semi-synthetic with soy- and corn-based tocopherols synthesized to (RRR- or d-) alpha-tocopherol via the addition of one methyl group to gamma-tocopherol and two methyl groups to deltatocopherol (these methyl groups are petro-chemically sourced). Even though tocotrienols were finally discovered in the mid-1960s it has taken a while to identify how the various forms of vitamin E and the benefits they provide differ Trias explained. More recently research on the composition of different sources of tocotrienols rice palm and annatto has shown they vary. Palm and rice sources contain 25-50 percent alphatocopherol and annatto is the only known source of tocotrienols with virtually no tocopherols present. This is an important feature because alpha-tocopherol has consistently been shown to interfere with tocotrienol functions. Tocotrienols have proven to contain some remarkable benefits that cannot be substantiated with tocopherols. Today the brightest spot for tocotrienol research is in inflammatory disorders such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Vitse noted research that has casted a dark cloud over certain vitamins. There has been some bad press in the last few years about individual letter vitamins that have shown negative effects in various research endeavors. The forms of vitamins used in the research are typically completely synthesized not the molecules as they exist in the human body or in the foods we eat she stressed. Thus there is always a risk of side effects from the non-therapeutic racemic isomer. Therefore we as manufacturers have had to put a lot of extra effort into both the education about different types of letter vitamins and multis as well as into the development of vitamins that are in their natural forms. I m sure most quality companies are engaged in active education about the difference between synthetic vitamins and those that are in the forms that exist naturally. VR These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose treat cure or prevent any disease. References 1 Biesalski HK Tinz J. Multivitamin mineral supplements Rationale and safety -A systematic review. Nutrition. 2017 Jan 33 76-82. Research When monitoring research on supplement ingredients it is essential to consider both the good and the bad. Rainbow Light s team closely follows both positive and negative research looking at both individual ingredients and a combination of multivitamin type products Clow said. It is important for our team to stay abreast of new developments so that we can offer both new products and reformulations of existing products that are supported by the body of evidence. Of particular interest was a systematic review published in January of 28 VITAMIN RETAILER Extra Extra Visit www.vitaminretailer.com to read about how vitamin D supplements may help protect against severe asthma attacks. i For More Information American River Nutrition Inc. (413) 253-3449 Garden of Life (561) 748-2477 MegaFood (800) 848-2542 Rainbow Light (800) 475-1890 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Vitamin Retailer s 2017 2017 Best New Products For the 10th consecutive year VR editors and retailers assembled the year s best new natural products on the market By Janet Poveromo en years ago Vitamin Retailer (VR) magazine decided to honor the year s top products. The staff reviewed hundreds of press releases and products spotted at trade shows launched in late 2016 through 2017 to determine the best new offerings paying close attention to ingredients delivery systems consumer need and popularity. After the VR editors sifted through contenders we asked a pool of retailers to weigh in on our picks based on what has been selling in their stores along with what they perceive as innovative and high quality. The retailers were also asked to T contribute recommended nominees for us to consider as well. Based on that feedback we were able to narrow the list down to 10 winners which readers will find below. We would personally like to extend a sincere thank you to not only all of the retailers who took part but the manufacturers who created these memorable and successful products. In no particular order VR presents the 2017 best new products My Magic Mud Whitening Toothpaste My Magic Mud New Braunfels TX (844) 624-4263 My Magic Mud Whitening Toothpaste is the first toothpaste to combine activated coconut shell charcoal and bentonite clay. It is made with smart and wholesome ingredients and is fluoride free non-GMO (genetically modified organism) and Natural Cosmetics Standard certified. My Magic Mud Activated Charcoal Toothpaste has been a great new item for us. The tooth powder sold well for us but the ease of use of a toothpaste seems to be what customers are after said Travis Lemon manager herbalist with Healthy Life Market in Barboursville WV. I think the simplicity of ingredients is something that many customers are noticing. This product does a good job of leaving your mouth feeling truly refreshed. Charcoal is an increasingly popular product in our store noted Ramona Billingslea of Betsy s Health Foods in Houston TX. Great whitening action said Vito Buccaro manager of Highland Health Foods in Highland Park IL. We set up a display at the checkout and it sold out within a few days. There s a lot of repeat customers and new customers either looking for the product by name or just interested in a charcoal toothpaste. The MSRP for a 4-oz. tube is 9.99. Medicine Springs (Joint Sport and Skin) Medicine Springs Inc. Helena MT (406) 461-2055 Medicine Springs has taken the chemical analysis of some of the most famous healing hot springs from around the world. The company separated the compounds and reactions and packaged it so the consumer can turn their bath or hot tub into these world famous hot springs. This product is loaded with essential minerals which are absorbed through the skin magnesium calcium potassium bicarbonates and chlorides. Three types are available Joint Formula--ideal natural pain relief for arthritis fibromyalgia and joint conditions Sport Formula--natural relief for sore muscles and recovery and Skin Formula--natural relief for skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. Dionne Ryder supplements manager with Grassroots Natural Market in Denville NJ noted that this is a good fall winter product. It can be put in the hot tub and lasts three months. I love it. The MSRP for the bath size (two baths) is 14.99 the MSRP for the hot tub size is 49. DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM VITAMIN RETAILER 29 Vitamin Retailer s 2017 Best New Products Chewable Acid Soothe Enzymedica Venice FL (888) 918-1118 Acid Soothe is a product for individuals suffering from occasional gastrointestinal distress and discomfort. Zinc carnosine is included to help strengthen the mucosal lining of the stomach acting as a buffer to gastric acid. Acid Soothe contains amylase lipase and cellulase Thera-blend enzymes to enhance carbohydrate fat and fiber digestion. The all-natural ingredients including organic tapioca dextrose help to form the chewable tablet. The product contains no artificial colors flavors fillers or binders. Kris Wear co-owner and CEO of World of Nutrition in Nampa ID said Acid Soothe was always a good seller and people love the immediate results from a chewable. The MSRP for a 30-ct. bottle is 10.99. Targeted Choice Blood Pressure Support Vegetable Capsules Bluebonnet Nutrition Sugar Land TX (800) 580-8866 Targeted Choice Blood Pressure Support Vegetable Capsules are a wholesomely crafted blood pressure support formula that contains a blend of complementary vitamins minerals and sustainably harvested or wildcrafted herbal extracts as well as pharmaceutical-grade amino acids plus CoQ10 to help maintain blood pressure levels already within the normal range. This unique vegan vegetarian (soy- gluten- and milk free) non-GMO kosher-certified structure-function formula is important for those looking for a truly natural solution to managing their blood pressure. We like the combination of basic nutrients for blood pressure health coupled with herbs said Billingslea. We also like Bluebonnet s commitment to sustainability in its choice of herbs sourced. We especially appreciate Bluebonnet s commitment to the brick-and-mortar retailer with its strictly enforced MAP (minimum advertised pricing) policy that helps keep the playing field even for all. The MSRP for a 60-ct. bottle is 22.95 and 33.95 for a 90-ct. bottle. Clinical OPC with Pine Bark EuroPharma Green Bay WI (866) 598-5487 Clinical OPC with Pine Bark combines two synergistic sources of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) to provide full spectrum health support. High potency antioxidants play a role in every function in the body. Your cells depend on them to neutralize free radicals for optimal energy production helping your heart to beat your eyes to see and your brain to process information. Clinical OPC said Wear Like the rest of Terry s products science and literature are great tools to sell this product. The MSRP for 30 capsules is 33.95. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose treat cure or prevent disease. SPORT Certified Grass Fed Whey Garden of Life Palm Beach Gardens FL (800) 622-8986 From pre-workout to post-workout and everywhere in between Garden of Life SPORT has you covered. The premium quality clean Certified Grass Fed Whey is not only free of hormones and antibiotics but also the only Non-GMO Project Verified Whey. Due to these third-party certifications Certified Grass Fed Whey is also NSF Certified for Sport and Informed-Choice for Sport Certified--absolutely no athletic banned substances in this clean whey protein. With 24 g grass fed whey protein 6 g BCAAs and 4 g glutamine and glutamic acid SPORT Grass Fed Whey refuels and repairs muscles in vanilla and chocolate flavors. Wear enthused The Sport line including Organic Plant-based Energy Focus Organic Plant-Based Protein Certified Grass-fed Whey Organic Plant-based Recovery Performance Protein Bar--[one of the] more exciting and good moving line additions from Garden of Life Lemon added Garden of Life Sport line is doing great for us as well. Customers think clean products when they see Garden Of Life. A truly clean sports nutrition line with the focus on certified grass fed whey and high quality plant-based options is a big selling point for many health conscious active customers. The MSRP for a 23-oz. tub is 54.95. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose treat cure or prevent disease. 30 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com europharma for info about this advertiser Vitamin Retailer s 2017 Best New Products BioCoenzymated B Vitamins Natural Factors Monroe WA (877) 551-2179 BioCoenzymated B vitamins are innovative one-a-day formulas providing the metabolically active form of B vitamins in a synergistic base of bioenergetic nutrients. Taking B vitamins already in their coenzymated form allows the body to use the active B vitamins directly. Thus the amount that is required by the body is less in order to achieve the same benefits. BioCoenzymated takes it one step further. Using the proprietary EnviroSimplex technology Natural Factors created a unique biocoenzymated process using Farm Fresh Factors farm fresh plant extracts from whole food sources (many of which are from Factors Farms) and the coenzyme form of B vitamins to create the most metabolically active nutrient. The synergy between the phytochemicals found in these plant extracts and the coenzyme B vitamin optimizes absorption. Natural Factors new line of coenzymated Bs includes Farm Fresh Factors and a slew of organic super foods said Billingslea. Since an increasing number of people seem to have difficulty with the absorption of key B vitamins this seems like a promising line. The MSRP for BioCoenzymated Methylfolate 1 000 mcg is 19.95 BioCoenzymated Pyridoxal 5 -phosphate 50 mg 9.95 BioCoenzymated Nicotinamide Riboside 125 mg 33.95 BioCoenzymated Riboflavin 5 -phosphate 50 mg 9.95. Olive your Heart Basil Lemon Garlic Natural Carlson Labs Arlington Heights IL (888) 234-5656 Carlson Olive your Heart blends cold-pressed Greek Terra Creta extra virgin olive oil with premium Norwegian marine oil sourced from deep cold-water fish. Each serving provides 1 480 mg of omega-3s including EPA and DHA. Olive your Heart is mild and smooth and makes it easy and delicious to add heart healthy nutrients into your diet. Pick from Basil Lemon Garlic or Natural Flavor. Just great said Buccaro. We have demoed it using bread and Parmesan and customers love it. It s a great idea combining omega-3 fatty acids with olive oil (oleic acid). This crosses from supplements into grocery. I like bringing areas together said Ryder. The MSRP for a 250 ml bottle is 19.98. Organic Virgin Plant Oils Veriditas by Pranarom Minneapolis MN (952) 831-6776 Certified Organic Virgin Plant Oils from first cold pressing are rich in essential fatty acids vitamins and antioxidants. These vibrant lipids are packed with therapeutic health benefits to nourish the skin and body. There are many healthful benefits in each oil when used on their own and are excellent when aromatized with essential oils or aromatic hydrosols. These 12 organic oils--argan arnica black cumin borage calendula carrot evening primrose hazelnut macadamia avacado St. John s wort and tamanu--provide the perfect addition to a daily routine. Organic Virgin and Plant Oils said Wear a great seller as soon as we brought them in. We have been excited about the new line of cold-pressed or macerated plant oils from Veriditas added Billingslea. These oils are ecocert-verified organic very high quality products with many uses. The cold-pressed oils can even be taken internally as well as used topically. This essential oil company has really impressed us with their quality knowledge sustainability and the support materials they provide for education of employees and customers. The MSRP for a 2-oz. bottle ranges from 9.99 to 16.99. HempFusion 5.0 MetaCan Inc. Roswell GA (877) 669-4367 HempFusion (a MetaCan Company) has been accredited with creating a new category with the introduction of hemp-based nutritional supplements according to the company. HempFusion is an all natural plantbased product line predicated on the amazing health benefits of its proprietary Whole Food Hemp Complex derived from full-spectrum nutritional hemp as well as other botanicals and naturally occurring dietary hemp phyto compounds that support and interact with the body s endocannabinoid system to achieve balance. I don t know if HempFusion came out in 2016 or 2017 said Billingslea but these products win my vote for the CBD endocannabanoid products hands down. HempFusion is a big seller for us added Ryder. There s something synergistic about using the plant as a whole. The MSRP for a 30-ct. bottle is 39.99. VR 32 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com carlson for info about this advertiser Something to Think About Sustaining cognitive abilities is more than a desire today it s a need as lives are busier than ever. Here s why emphasizing this category is a good thought. By Lisa Schofield ll your customers can be brainiacs. And it s a sure bet that most want to be. Our cognitive demands are wider deeper and more sustained than ever. In the current digital internet age we are all immersed in activities that require thoughtful reaction and increased learning and communicating. Today s brain health supplement market is no longer dominated by seniors wanting to prevent disruptive memory loss. Students are increasingly desirous of boosting their brains superpowers in order to achieve good grades be victorious in gaming and make numerous social media posts expanding their personal networks. Today s middle-agers also want to waylay brain fog and be consistently quick to remember and quick to problem solve. But stressful lives tend to work against cognitive expediency stress A increases inflammatory markers and impedes healthy sleep. When both conditions linger the brain has a more difficult time processing information. Jennifer Weinhardt research and development specialist with Texasbased Bluebonnet Nutrition pointed out that the average human brain comprises approximately 2 percent of body weight yet consumes nearly 20 percent of its energy while at rest. It is a demanding organ necessitating significant amounts of nutrients it needs to function and to maintain a normal structure. Exciting new research tells us that modifying nutrition and supplementation using nootropic nutrients or cognitive enhancers can be beneficial for improving areas like mental energy focus and attention as well as memory she related. Examples of these nutrients include fish oil essential fatty acids Ginkgo biloba acetyl l-carnitine and phosphatidylserine. Cheryl Myers chief of education and scientific affairs at Wisconsinbased EuroPharma Inc. said she believes that the increasing recognition that inflammation plays such a major role in the brain and in the development of cognitive conditions is a real step forward in dietary supplement research and development. This she noted is a significant departure in how brain health support was perceived in the recent past when the brain was primarily viewed as a chemical-based natural computer and that if we simply adjusted the chemical balance all would be well. While that s not entirely wrong it isn t the whole picture either. Many of the conditions that affect us have a lot to do with the levels of inflammation that we are always fighting to one degree or another. Myers added that in tandem research is also revealing and validating ways that diet impacts cognitive 34 VITAMIN RETAILER Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence 1994-2014 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM MAY 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2014 processes including how diet can potentially harm the brain and that means that we re slowly heading in the right direction. It means that people will address cognitive concerns in through their daily lives and with clinically validated nutrients. Formulas for Cognition Support As with other condition-specific categories formulas for cognitive support are based on ingredients that have impressive portfolios of research. Fish oil expert Carlson Labs in Illinois has three newer supplements for a range of ages and needs in the cognitive department. Lemon-flavored Super Omega-3 provides 2 600 mg of omega-3s per teaspoonful including 1 350 mg of EPA and 1 000 mg of DHA according to the company it is a great option for those who want to receive more omega-3s per serving or who have trouble swallowing soft gels. Carlson Labs orangeflavored Elite DHA provides a highly concentrated dose of 2 270 mg of DHA in a single teaspoonful to support brain vision and mood health. And because teens need a lot of nutritional support Carlson Labs orange-flavored Smart Catch for Teens provides a highly concentrated dose of 1 135 mg of DHA per 1 2 teaspoonful. According to Myers EuroPharma s omega-3 supplement Vectomega provides peptides that reduce anxiety and phospholipids that not only act as the transport mechanism for the omega-3s but also provide strong brain support on their own. DHA and phospholipids make up a great deal of our brain Myers explained. The brain is composed of approximately 60 percent fat of which up to 20 percent is DHA therefore it requires phospholipids and DHA to develop properly and age well. In an in-vitro study researchers pre-treated neuronal cells with DHA from the same phospholipid-bound omega-3 source found in Vectomega for 48 hours before exposing these cells to soluble oligomers of amyloid-beta peptide which are known to cause brain cell damage. The researchers found that the DHA pretreatment greatly increased neuronal survival and reduced damage. Bluebonnet Nutrition s Power Thought Caplets provide a complementary blend of cognitive-enhancing nutrients (phosphatidylcholine phos- phatidylserine DMAE taurine and ltyrosine). Weinhardt explained that phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid that is a major constituent of all cell membranes which is important for their maintenance and repair. Phosphatidylcholine is a precursor for the essential nutrient choline which is a precursor for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine enhances the communication between neurons promoting the brain s ability to process retain and retrieve information for healthy cognitive function. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid needed for the normal functioning of neuronal cell membranes by modulating their fluidity which is critical to the brain cells ability to send and receive chemical communications. PS has been shown in some studies to improve learning memory and cognitive function by enabling brain cells to metabolize glucose and release bind with neurotransmitters more effectively. PS Weinhardt described basically increases communication between cells in the brain by acting as a natural emulsifier (compounds that help keep fats suspended in liquid environment) thereby enhancing the cells ability to communicate within the liquid environments of the blood and cellular fluids for optimal brain health. DMAE and pyroglutamic acid both of which help to maintain adequate amounts of acetylcholine in the body and Ginkgo biloba extract a brainfriendly antioxidant. Since the brain and heart are susceptible to oxidative stress antioxidants are essential to maintain their cellular health. The herb s effect on cognitive function memory Weinhardt noted can also be attributed to its effect on blood vessel dilation which enhances circulation allowing the brain to have ample amounts of oxygen for optimal function. The formula also features the amino acid taurine found in high concentrations in the brain. The brain and nervous system all require adequate amounts of taurine to function at the highest levels. Furthermore as an antioxidant taurine donates electrons to oxygen free radicals neutralizing them before they create cellular and tissue damage. L-tyrosine also in Power Thought is metabolized into norepinephrine and epinephrine the body s two main stress-related hormones. Norepinephrine and epinephrine help the body adapt to and cope with the effects of physical or psychological stress which can adversely affect cognitive function. Move It or Lose It new study showed that aerobic exercise may improve memory function and support a healthy brain (structure and function) as we get older. Neurological science has shown that brain health begins to decline with age and shrinks an average of five percent per decade after age 40. Rodent studies have revealed that those that exercised exhibited increases in hippocampus size but up until a recent study (November 2017) similar results in humans were inconclusive. Australian researchers performed a meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials that examined brain scans of 737 participants before and after performing aerobic exercise. The study pool included healthy adults those with mild cognitive impairment and those with mental illness such as depression and schizophrenia they ranged in age from 24 to 76. The durations ranged from three months to two years with exercise periods between two and five times per week. A Overall according to the researchers the results (published in NeuroImage) showed that while exercise had no effect on total hippocampal volume it did significantly increase the size of the left region of the hippocampus in humans. Lead author NICM postdoctoral research fellow Joseph Firth explained When you exercise you produce a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which may help to prevent age-related decline by reducing the deterioration of the brain. He added Our data showed that rather than actually increasing the size of the hippocampus per se the main brain benefits are due to aerobic exercise slowing down the deterioration in brain size. In other words exercise can be seen as a maintenance program for the brain. Firth J. et al. Effect of aerobic exercise on hippocampal volume in humans A systematic review and meta-analysis. NeuroImage 2018 166 230 VITAMIN RETAILER 35 DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM Something to Think About Ingredient Synergy EuroPharma s CuraMed Brain said Myers features a clinically studied curcumin (BCM-95) that is blended with turmeric essential oil for enhanced absorption blood retention and turmerones which are antiinflammatory compounds in the oil according to Myers adding that the formula is targeted to controlling inflammation in the brain and supporting the function of neural connections. CuraMed Brain also contains vitamin D3 and the concentrated rosemary and sage oils. Curcumin protects brain cells from damage that may be incurred by unhealthy levels of inflammation. In experimental models of Alzheimer s disease Myers reported curcumin was shown to reduce beta amyloid levels and shrink the size of accumulated plaques by over 30 percent. Other studies have shown that curcumin plays a role in regenerating neurons and refreshing cells that may have once been considered irretrievable. Another nutraceutical vitamin D directly affects cognitive health and abilities according to Myers. At around age 65 humans ability to naturally synthesize vitamin D from sunlight declines by up to 60 percent. Compared to people who have optimal levels of vitamin D low levels of vitamin D at age 65 mean you are twice as likely to experience mental Memory Study at the Center of Prevagen s Battle With FTC arly this year the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the New York state attorney general launched a highly reported complaint against Quincy Bioscience that claims its product Prevagen could help with age-associated memory loss. In the case the main study the FTC took issue with was a 2016 paper called the Madison Memory Study sponsored by Quincy Bioscience. According to the FTC that study had been wrongly touted as supporting the product s benefits. The study found statistically significant benefits but according to the complaint that was not seen in the first analysis of the study data as a whole. The researchers proceeded to parcel the data into multiple subgroup analyses and eventually found only a few that do not provide reliable evidence of a treatment effect the complaint said. The company stated that it isn t the FTC s role to argue over data analysis. The sole dispute rests on the interpretation and analysis of the data with the regulators attempting to hold the company to a standard that is unreasonable scientifically debatable and legally invalid according to a company statement. Their experts simply disagree with ours over how to interpret the study E results. The FTC should not be the arbiter in matters of scientific debate. On September 29 Judge Louis Stanton of the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York dismissed the complaint. In granting the defendants motion the judge found the lawsuit neglected to do more than point to possible sources of error but cannot allege that any actual errors occurred. They [plaintiffs] say that findings based on post hoc exploratory analyses have an increased risk of false positives and increased probability of results altered by chance alone but neither explain the nature of such risks nor show that they affected the subgroups performance in any way or registered any false positives Stanton wrote in his 13-page order dismissing the lawsuit. Nor do they give any reason to suspect that these risks are so large in the abstract that they prevent any use of the subgroup concept which is widely used in the interpretation of data in the dietary supplement field. The complaint the judge concluded failed to demonstrate reliance upon the subgroup data is likely to mislead consumers acting reasonably under the circumstances as is necessary to state its claim. decline she commented. In fact a Dutch study found that patients with Alzheimer s disease but high serum levels of vitamin D3 scored significantly higher on cognitive testing than those with low levels of the nutrient. Another clinical study tracked adult volunteers aged 65 and older for six years their vitamin D levels and their elevated risk of dementia she added. At the end of the study they found that even moderate deficiencies in vitamin D increased the risk to 53 percent and 69 percent for Alzheimer s. These percentages were seen in those who are only moderately deficient those individuals with more pronounced vitamin D deficiencies were assessed at much higher risks for both diseases (125 and 122 percent respectively). Research showed that the combination of vitamin D and curcumin can protect the brain from inflammation and decrease development of amyloid plaques by stimulating macrophages to more aggressively seek out and clean up beta-amyloid fragments in the brain. Curcumin and vitamin D work synergistically--they strengthen one another s impact--and are a potent protective force for the brain Myers commented. Concentrated plant oils from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and Spanish sage (Salvia lavandulifolia) plants have a long history of use as aids to enhancing memory and learning likely from their ability to preserve acetylcholine. Research suggests these plant oils inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. This is similar to how prescription drugs work but without the serious adverse effects Myers said. The ability to retain memory and be able to concentrate and continue to learn is something that many people of all ages take for granted but will never want to lose. It s never too late for your customers (and their loved ones) to start taking cognition and brain support supplements. It s something to think about VR i For More Information Bluebonnet Nutrition (281) 240-3332 Carlson Labs (888) 234-5656 EuroPharma USA (866) 598-5487 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 36 VITAMIN RETAILER Go to www.vitaminretailer.com horphag for info about this advertiser SUPPLEMENTSCIENCE B Vitamins & Cognition By Gene Bruno MS MHS RH(AHG)-- Huntington College of Health Sciences ome level of cognitive decline is common as we grow older. In fact it is so common that according to a national survey worries over retaining mental sharpness with age was the No. 2 health concern among consumers (second only to worries about continuing with normal activities with age).1 Of course there s cognitive decline and then there s cognitive decline. S Alzheimer s disease is the most well known. appears to contribute to brain atrophy. Homocysteine Brain Atrophy While these different types of cognitive decline do not have all the same root causes they do have one thing in common brain atrophy. While this term may sound scary it is a normal process. As people age the brain begins to shrink a bit or atrophy. The atrophy occurs even in cognitively healthy subjects 5 but is much accelerated in patients suffering from Alzheimer s disease.6 7 People with MCI experience an intermediate rate of atrophy 8 9 which is more rapid in those whose cognitive decline develops into Alzheimer s disease.10 Given the potential for progressive worsening it is important to identify factors that determine the rate of atrophy since reducing the rate of atrophy. In turn this is likely to slow the conversion to Alzheimer s disease.11 As it turns out elevated levels of homocysteine is one of the factors that Homocysteine is a byproduct of normal protein metabolism. Since high levels of homocysteine is not a good thing for our health the body has a built-in mechanism to partially convert it back into methionine and other beneficial non-toxic amino acids. If however this process is out of wack a bit homocysteine builds up in bodily fluids and tissues with serious ramifications. The most well known of these is an increased risk of cardiovascular including hardening of the arteries isolated systolic hypertension and ultimately strokes and heart attacks.12 13 In addition high homocysteine levels have also been implicated as a risk factor in depression 14 fibromyalgia 15 diabetic retinopathy 16 venous thromboembolic disease (i.e. blood clots) 17 neural tube defects and early pregnancy loss 18 and possibly chronic renal failure19 and preeclamsia (high blood pressure and Levels of Cognitive Decline The most basic level of cognitive decline is age-related memory impairment (ARMI). ARMI is simply mild memory problems associated with normal aging (e.g. Where did I put my keys )2 and experienced by most people as they age.3 Next is mild cognitive impairment (MCI) a syndrome defined as cognitive decline greater than that expected for an individual s age and education level but that does not interfere notably with activities of daily life. 4 The most progressive type of cognitive decline is dementia of which 38 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 protein in the urine during pregnancy).20 With regard to cognitive decline several studies have shown that moderately elevated levels of plasma homocysteine have been associated with an increased risk of dementia especially Alzheimer s disease.21-24 It s interesting to note that raised homocysteine is not only associated with regional and whole brain atrophy in Alzheimer s disease 25 but also in healthy elderly individuals.26-30 Homocysteine and B Vitamins Given that supplementation with the vitamins folic acid B12 and B6 have been shown to reduce homocysteine levels 31-44 it comes as no surprise that low levels of these B vitamins result in high homocysteine levels that are implicated in brain atrophy and cognitive decline. Certainly research has shown that the vitamin B12 deficiency can result in memory loss.45 46 Likewise the status of vitamins folic acid vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 is frequently inadequate in the elderly and recent studies have shown associations between loss of cognitive function or Alzheimer s disease and inadequate B vitamin status.47 The next natural question is what effect does B vitamin supplementation have on brain atrophy cysteine levels. The rate of atrophy in participants with homocysteine 13 mol L was 53 percent lower in the active treatment group (P 0.001). A greater rate of atrophy was associated with a lower final cognitive test scores. Given that there was no difference in serious adverse events according to treatment category supplementation with the B vitamins was clearly safe as well as effective. In conclusion this study found that the accelerated rate of brain atrophy in elderly with MCI could be slowed by treatment with a total of 22 mg of the homocysteine-lowering B vitamins folic acid B12 and B6. B Vitamins and Cognitive Decline In the aforementioned VITACOG trial researchers showed that homocysteinelowering treatment with B vitamins slows the rate of brain atrophy in MCI. The next study also a double-blind placebo-controlled trial49 through University of Oxford examined the effect of the same B vitamins with the same doses on cognitive and clinical decline. Subjects included participants with MCI 70 or more years of age who received the B vitamins (133 participants) or placebo (133 participants) for two years. Specific areas examined in the study included executive function global cognition episodic memory and semantic memory. Executive function is a set of mental skills that help you get things done including the ability to manage time pay attention switch focus plan and organize remember details avoid saying or doing the wrong thing do things based on your experience and multitask. Global cognition includes different cognitive abilities such as orientation attention and concentration sequence visual-spatial abilities verbal learning and memory reading aloud understanding and verbal repetition. Episodic memory is the memory of autobiographical events (times places associated emotions and other contextual who what when where why knowledge) that can be explicitly stated or conjured. Semantic memory refers to a portion of long-term memory that processes ideas and concepts that are not drawn from personal experience. Semantic memory includes things that are common knowledge such as the names of colors the sounds of letters the capitals of countries and other basic facts acquired over a lifetime. Results showed that the mean plasma total homocysteine was 30 percent lower in those treated with B vitamins relative to placebo. B vitamins also stabilized executive function relative to placebo (P 0.015). There was significant benefit of B-vitamin treatment among participants with baseline homocysteine above the median (11.3 mol L) in global cognition (P 0.001) episodic memory (P 0.001) and semantic memory (P 0.037). Clinical benefit occurred in the B-vitamin group for those with the highest levels of homocysteine at baseline in global clinical dementia rating score (P 0.02) and score measuring cognitive decline in the elderly (P 0.01). In conclusion this trial showed that B vitamins appear to slow cognitive and clinical decline in people with MCI in particular in those with elevated homocysteine. Intellectual Property At first glance it might seem that any supplement company could include these B vitamins in a formula and make cognitive claims based on the research. However as a result of the two previous studies a patent pending50 was filed by one of the primary researchers at the University of Oxford for the use of folic acid vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 in treating cognitive disorders such as MCI by lowering homocysteine levels. This is significant because any product making claims relating to cognitive enhancement with B vitamins may be at risk of violating the international patent pending. That being said in the United States Zanda Technologies LLC (Atlanta GA) is the licensee of the patent and provides the specific combination of B vitamins (called Capacity) from the research to supplement companies who wish to use it in finished products and make appropriate cognitive claims. B Vitamins and Brain Atrophy A 24-month randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial48 through University of Oxford was conducted with 271 individuals (over 70 years old) with MCI to determine whether supplementation with B vitamins that lower levels of plasma total homocysteine can slow the rate of brain atrophy in subjects with MCI in a randomized controlled trial called VITACOG. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. One group was treated with 800 mcg of folic acid 500 mcg of vitamin B12 and 20 mg of vitamin B6 daily and the other group received a placebo. The main outcome measure was the change in the rate of atrophy of the whole brain assessed in a subset of 168 participants (85 in active treatment group 83 receiving placebo) who volunteered to have cranial MRI scans at the start and finish of the study. Results showed that the mean rate of brain atrophy per year was 0.76 percent in the active treatment group and 1.08 percent in the placebo group (P 0.001). Furthermore the treatment response was related to baseline homo- Conclusion The research conducted at the University of Oxford on folic acid vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 and their relationship to lowering homocysteine slowing brain atrophy and slowing cognitive and clinical decline make a compelling case for the daily use of these B vitamins for promoting cognitive health. In addition there are many health concerns that can at least in part be addressed through supplementation to reduce homocysteine levels. VR VITAMIN RETAILER 39 DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM SUPPLEMENTSCIENCE References 1 Sloan AE Hut CA. Reading the Compass Up-andComing Market Trends. Nutraceuticals World. October 1 2013. Retrieved November 9 2015 from www.nutraceuticalsworld.com issues 2013-10 view_features readingthe-compass-up-and-coming-market-trends . 2 Hedden T Gabrieli JDE. Insights into the ageing mind a view from cognitive neuroscience. 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Do low doses of folic acid result in maximum lowering of homocysteine Am J Clin Nutr 2005 82(4) 717-718. 36 Kuo H. K. Sorond F. A. Chen J. H. Hashmi A. Milberg W. P. and Lipsitz L. A. The role of homocysteine in multisystem age-related problems a systematic review. J Gerontol. A Biol. Sci Med Sci 2005 60(9) 11901201. 37 Boers G. H. Mild hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor of arterial vascular disease. Semin. Thromb. Hemost. 2000 26(3) 291-295. 38 Weir D. G. and Scott J. M. Homocysteine as a risk factor for cardiovascular and related disease nutritional implications. Nutr Res Rev 1998 11(2) 311-338. 39 Hankey G. J. and Eikelboom J. W. Homocysteine and vascular disease. Indian Heart J 2000 52(7 Suppl) S18-S26. 40 Hankey G. J. and Eikelboom J. W. Homocysteine and vascular disease. Lancet 7-31-1999 354(9176) 407413. 41 Ganji V. and Kafai M. R. Demographic lifestyle and health characteristics and serum B vitamin status are determinants of plasma total homocysteine concentration in the post-folic acid fortification period 19992004. J Nutr 2009 139(2) 345-352. 42 Dose-dependent effects of folic acid on blood concentrations of homocysteine a meta-analysis of the randomized trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2005 82(4) 806-812. 43 Potter K. Hankey G. J. Green D. J. Eikelboom J. Jamrozik K. and Arnolda L. F. The effect of longterm homocysteine-lowering on carotid intima-media thickness and flow-mediated vasodilation in stroke patients a randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis. BMC. Cardiovasc. Disord. 2008 8 24. 44 Clarke R. and Collins R. Can dietary supplements with folic acid or vitamin B6 reduce cardiovascular risk Design of clinical trials to test the homocysteine hypothesis of vascular disease. J Cardiovasc. Risk 1998 5(4) 249-255. 45 Food and Nutrition Board Institute of Medicine. Vitamin B12. Dietary reference intakes for thiamin riboflavin niacin vitamin B6 vitamin B12 pantothenic acid biotin and choline. Washington D.C. National Academy Press 1998 306-356. 46 Healton EB Savage DG Brust JC Garrett TJ Lindenbaum J. Neurologic aspects of cobalamin deficiency. Medicine (Baltimore). 1991 70(4) 229-245. [ABSTRACT ONLY] 47 Selhub J Bagley LC Miller J Rosenberg IH. 2000. B vitamins homocysteine and neurocognitive function in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr 71 614S 620S. 48 Smith AD Smith SM de Jager CA Whitbread P Johnston C Agacinski G Oulhaj A Bradley KM Jacoby R Refsum H. Homocysteine-lowering by B vitamins slows the rate of accelerated brain atrophy in mild cognitive impairment a randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2010 Sep 8 5(9) e12244. 49 de Jager CA Oulhaj A Jacoby R Refsum H Smith AD. Cognitive and clinical outcomes of homocysteinelowering B-vitamin treatment in mild cognitive impairment a randomized controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012 Jun 27(6) 592-600. 50 World International Property Organization. Treatment of Cognitive Disorders. International Publication Number WO 2012 001336 A1. 5 January 2012. Gene Bruno MS MHS the dean of academics for Huntington College of Health Sciences is a nutritionist herbalist writer and educator. For more than 30 years he has educated and trained natural product retailers and health care professionals has researched and formulated natural products for dozens of dietary supplement companies and has written articles on nutrition herbal medicine nutraceuticals and integrative health issues for trade consumer magazines and peerreviewed publications. He can be reached at gbruno hchs.edu. DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM VITAMIN RETAILER 41 HEALTHYSHOPPER The Power of NEEM B Y S H A R I B A R B A N E L Healthy Shopper is reprinted with permission from Vitamin Retailer magazine and is provided for educational purposes only by your local retailer. No part of this article is intended as medical advice. Always consult your health care provider for any medical problems. 42 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Answers 1.) c 2.) d 3.) d 4.) b 5.) a fast-growing evergreen tree that is well known for its drought resistance the neem tree belongs to the mahogany family and commonly grows 50 to 75 feet tall and can live for 200 years. Also known as Azadirachta indica Neemba or Indian lilac neem is native to India and neighboring countries and has been used as an ayurvedic medicinal herb for thousands of years. There are numerous benefits of the neem tree and each part of the plant contains useful compounds--the leaves flowers fruit seed gum oil and bark all have health benefits. Further more than 140 active compounds have been isolated from the plant. According to Justneem.com studies have shown that neem has antibacterial antiviral anti-fungal analgesic antiinflammatory anti-histamine and antimicrobial properties. Neem is useful when it comes to immune oral and skin health and may have a positive effect on people with type 2 diabetes. In fact a 2008 animal study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that neem extract helped treat diabetic rats that were also given insulin. The researchers noted that neem also helped prevent heart damage in the animals. Research has shown that neem may also be beneficial for certain types of cancer. According to a 2016 study published in the journal Antioxidants & Redox Signaling a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Gautam Sethi from the Department of Pharmacology at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore found that oral administration of nimbolide (a bioactive terpenoid compound derived from the neem plant) over 12 weeks showed reduction of prostate tumor size by up to 70 percent and a decrease in tumor metastasis by up to 50 percent. Although the diverse anti-cancer effects of nimbolide have been report- A ed in different cancer types its potential effects on prostate cancer initiation and Test Your Knowledge of Neem progression have not been demonstrated 1.) Neem is also known as ______. in scientific studies a.) Neemba b.) Indian lilac explained Sethi. In c.) Both a and b d.) None of the above this research we have demonstrated that nimbolide can 2.) The neem tree can grow up to ______ in height. inhibit tumor cell via- a.) 50 to 75 m b.) 20 to 30 ft. bility--a cellular c.) 50 to 75 in. d.) 50 to 75 feet process that directly 3.) Studies have shown that neem has which of the following affects the ability of properties a cell to proliferate a.) Anti-inflammatory b.) Antifungal grow divide or repair damaged cell c.) Antiviral d.) All of the above components--and 4.) According to a 2016 study published in the journal induce programmed Antioxidants & Redox Signaling researchers found that oral cell death in prostate administration of nimbolide over ______ weeks showed reduccancer cells. tion of prostate tumor size by up to ______ percent. Another study a.) 2 77 b.) 12 70 published in a 2016 c.) 12 0.7 d.) 2 7 issue of the journal Scientific Reports 5.) A study published in Scientific Reports in 2016 biomedical scifound that nimbolide entists at observed that nimbolide was able to reduce the migracould potentially be used to treat pancre- tion and invasion capabilities of pancreatic cancer cells by ______ percent and induced cancer cell death causing the size and number atic cancer. In the of pancreatic cancer cell colonies to drop by ______ percent. study biomedical scientists at Texas a.) 70 80 b.) 80 70 Tech University c.) 12 70 d.) None of the above Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) one of the most important findings is observed that nimbolide was able to that nimbolide did not harm healthy reduce the migration and invasion cells in both the in vitro and in vivo capabilities of pancreatic cancer cells experiments. Many people in India by 70 percent meaning the cancerous actually eat neem and it doesn t have cells did not become aggressive and harmful side effects which suggests spread. In addition nimbolide treatthat using nimbolide for pancreatic ments also induced cancer cell death cancer will not cause adverse effects causing the size and number of panlike chemotherapy and radiation typicreatic cancer cell colonies to drop by cally do explained lead author and 80 percent. Nimbolide seems to postdoctoral researcher Ramadevi attack pancreatic cancer from all Subramani PhD. angles said Rajkumar Lakshmanaswamy PhD an associate References professor in TTUHSC El Paso s Center Justneem.com of Emphasis in Cancer. Livestrong.com Sciencedaily.com Further the researchers stress that Retailers Healthy Shopper has been designed to help you educate customers about dietary supplements. Attach your store s business card here and photocopy for your customers. PRODUCTSPOTLIGHT A Naturally Healthy Smile he health of one s mouth and teeth can often indicate their overall health. In fact problems in the mouth can also affect the rest of the body. For instance according to the Mayo Clinic research shows that heart disease stroke and clogged arteries may be linked to the infections and inflammation that oral bacteria can T B Y S H A R I B A R B A N E L cause. Further certain health conditions can also have an effect on oral health. Osteoporosis as an example may be linked with periodontal bone and tooth loss. While everyone wants a healthy mouth and whiter teeth many con- sumers are now focusing on ingredient choices. Because many oral health products on the market contain chemicals and other substances that they would rather not ingest consumers are often looking to replace said products with more natural choices. Below are some natural oral and dental care products available on the market today. Glycerin-free Toothpaste Nevada-based Coral LLC offers a glycerinfree formulation of its popular line of toothpastes. The toothpaste can uniquely help prevent cavities by raising the pH (alkalinity) of the mouth s saliva. Additionally due to Coral calcium s whole food mineral complex it may also assist in re-mineralizing teeth s enamel. The formula is glycerin free and contains xylitol at 15 percent. Consumers can also still expect the company s commitment to no fluoride or sodium lauryl sulfate (sls). Available in Mint and Tea Tree flavors Coral s Glycerin-free Toothpaste comes in two sizes a 1-oz. tube retails for 2.99 while a 6-oz. tube has an MSRP of 6.95. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose treat cure or prevent any disease. White2Nite Dale Audrey (Fort Lauderdale FL) White2Nite is enamel safe non-toxic and does not cause tooth or gum sensitivity. The company s proprietary formula with Professional Power allows the whitening process to start instantly. Results may be seen with a first-use application according to the company. The product can be used with or without a custom dental tray. Offered in three flavors (Peppermint Strawberry and Chocolate Mint) White2Nite (MSRP 26.99) is dentist recommended contains no artificial colors flavors sweeteners and is not tested on animals. Dale Audrey also offers a number of other natural oral care products including Ayurvedic Oral Pulling Rinse Ayurvedic Chew Sticks With Neem among others. For more information call (877) 866-8447 or visit www.daleaudrey.com. For more information call (800) 882-9577 or visit www.coralcalccium.com. Activated Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste My Magic Mud (New Braunfels TX) Activated Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste (MSRP 9.99 4-oz. tube) is an all-natural activated charcoal toothpaste formulated with food-grade essential oils. The toothpaste polishes detoxes and deeply cleans teeth and gums and does not contain fluoride sls glycerin triclosan foaming agents gluten or GMOs (genetically modified organisms) and is non-toxic. My Magic Mud Activated Charcoal Whitening Toothpaste comes in four flavors Cinnamon Clove Peppermint Spearmint and Wintergreen. For more information call (844) 624-4263 or visit www.mymagicmud.com. Whitening Kit The Oralgen NuPearl (Scottsdale AZ) 32X Teeth Whitening Kit (MSRP 59) is comparable to expensive whitening treatments offered in a dentist s office. The whitening gel is applied to teeth while NuBright LED technology uses low intensity lights emitting high levels of brightness on to the whitening gel delivering professional results in just minutes lifting rather than bleaching stains. The Oralgen NuPearl 32X Teeth Whitening Kit and Perfecting Whitening Pen are 99 percent natural and 100 percent food grade. The dentist-recommended peroxide-free system is clinically proven to show results of up to eight shades whiter teeth in just one week. Each kit contains a four-week supply of 10 gel treatments (10 mL) and a 2.5-mL whitening pen. For more information call (480) 505-4005 or visit www.oralgen.com. Children s All-natural Toothpaste For bright healthy smiles New Zealand-based Red Seal s Children s All-natural Toothpaste is made with plant extracts to support healthy gums and teeth and is safer for young children to swallow when they brush. It is free from sls fluoride parabens as well as other chemicals. Red Seal s Children s All-natural Toothpaste is naturally flavored and has a sweetened bubblegum flavor kids will enjoy. A 2.6-oz. tube has a suggested retail price of 4.49. For more information call (805) 684-0624 or visit www.shoppri.com. DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM VITAMIN RETAILER 43 SPORTSNUTRITION Combat Free Radicals & Kill It Well Into Your Senior Years By Mark Becker have been an avid proponent of exercise for more than 45 years. I was an athlete in high school and did my first Olympic distance triathlon at the age of 22. I am now 57 years old. After more than 350 endurance events ranging from triathlons to ultramarathons to marathons to rough water swims I had hip replacement surgery in June. But that has not deterred me from continuing my exercise regimen. In fact the physical challenges I experience only motivate me more to stay in the game Many theories of aging have been proposed and none entirely explain the aging process. However free radical damage is considered the major cause of aging and the degenerative diseases associated with aging. In fact according to Bruce Ames PhD one of the world s foremost anti-aging experts the human cell is buffeted by 10 000 free radical hits a day. I Oxidation and Free Radical Damage A fundamental key to maintaining an 44 VITAMIN RETAILER active lifestyle as you age is cellular renewal and minimizing the damage to cells over time. We all age. Some of us age better than others. Why Studies have linked oxidative stress to aging. Simply stated oxidation occurs when the body produces free radicals. The result is something akin to a machine rusting. And when this rusting is applied to humans (and not iron) it results in aging and age-related diseases. Our bodies normally make free radicals as part of our daily metabolism. They occur as a result of food and environmental pollutions from everyday things like air water and sun. As we age we become more susceptible to the long-term effects of oxidative stress (or too many free radicals) and inflammation on the cellular level. The process of oxidation is abundant and can actually help our bodies work properly. But this very same process can also cause us harm. The oxidizing process creates free radicals which are electrically charged molecules. These free radicals interact with cells to create both good and bad results. For example the immune system uses free radicals to help fight infection. However when oxidized LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) can be produced. Oxidative stress is when the free radicals overwhelm the body s antioxidant defense system causing cell damage. Free radicals have useful functions in the body but are extremely unstable molecules. If left uncontrolled they will destroy cells enzymes and DNA and ultimately accelerate the aging process. Moreover free radicals can also contribute to the development of many age-related diseases including arthritis cancer and heart disease. Inflammation is caused by free radical damage. And the negative effects of free radicals are due to oxidation. How can this be addressed in a nutritional regimen Antioxidants play a major role in combatting oxidative stress and can minimize the damage free radicals cause in the body. Some foods are high in antioxidant content. Certain foods WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 contain phytonutrients that many health professionals believe are capable of unlocking the key to longevity. Phytonutrients can also be referred to as health boosters. Plants produce these substances to protect themselves from bacteria and viruses. But they help the human body as well. They are highly nutritious active compounds within plants that promote good health. Phytonutrients are members of the antioxidant family and are responsible for ridding the body of free radicals and as a result slowing the rusting or the aging process. That s one of the reasons why a diet of high antioxidant foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables is your first defense against aging. Some of the more commonly known antioxidants include vitamins A C and E. There are other antioxidants that are available in both food and supplement form. That said antioxidant supplements play a key role in bridging a gap that is often left by processed foods that lack the antioxidants and other nutrients needed to fight free radicals. Antioxidants to Combat Oxidation The good news is that certain supplements really do help people remain active and vibrant as they age leading to an increased quality of life. There are several great antioxidants that are easily found in your local health food store. Three of my favorites are CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) CoQ10 is one of those encompassing dietary supplements with both general health benefits (e.g. anti-aging) as well as specific health applications (e.g. cardiovascular health health blood sugar etc.). It is a fundamental component in energy production immune response and protection against damage by free radicals. CoQ10 is part of the mitochondrial electron transport system and is synthesized in all cells. It is essential to the body s production of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This holds special importance for the heart which is loaded with mitochondria and has the body s highest concentration of CoQ10 because of the significant demands made upon it. However aging reduces access to CoQ10. Although it can be obtained from the diet (mainly from fatty fish organ meats and whole grains) as well as synthesized in small amounts both of these routes decline with age. The body s declining capacity to extract and assimilate CoQ10 in later years plays a role in the development of various cardiovascular conditions. Ubiquinol is the reduced form of CoQ10 and the most highly absorbed. It is directly used in human metabolism as a lipid-soluble antioxidant. While standard CoQ10 (ubiquinone) supplements can be converted into ubiquinol in the body this conversion can be less efficient in some individuals based on age genetics blood sugar status or level of oxidative stress. Fish Oil The mainstream media has been reporting on the benefits of fish oil for years. Studies have shown that the omega-3s found in fish oil promote cardiovascular health cognitive health joint health optimal blood sugar levels etc. Omega-3s can be found in flaxseed walnuts and a few other foods. However the most beneficial form of omega-3s containing two fatty acids--EPA and DHA--can be found only in fish. EPA and DHA have a multitude of metabolic health benefits including increased fat burning and improved glucose metabolism.1 In addition EPA and DHA decrease the expression of genes involved in fat storage 2 down-regulate genes involved in inflammation 3 and lower levels of Creactive protein a marker of inflammation. Be aware to take fish oil products from companies that follow strict procedures to eliminate environmental contaminants to assure the highest purity of its fish oil supplements. Flavonoid Root A breakthrough extract that significantly improves cardiovascular health and the flow of oxygen-rich blood through the arteries. This extract is supported by new science that provides unmatched antioxidant properties and powerful cardiovascular health benefits including increased flow of oxygen-rich blood. Recently the results from a 94-person double-blind placebo-controlled study were published in the scientific journal Food and Nutrition Research.4 The study examined the effect of a unique Flavonoid Root Extract on the thickness of the artery wall using CIMT (carotid intima-media thickness). CIMT is considered a strong indicator of overall cardiovascular and arterial health. Following one year of flavonoid root extract consumption mean CIMT total cholesterol LDL levels and blood pressure decreased. This suggests that this ingredient may attenuate the development of oxidation and of related cere- bral vascular issues. This extract acts like a nitric oxide booster supporting increased blood flow and oxygen to the skeletal muscle for increased performance at any age Furthermore this extract will facilitate the removal of exercise-induced lactic acid build-up which reduces fatigue and recovery time in athletes of all ages. Combatting oxidation continues to be a compelling area for health professionals. Based on recent science espousing the efficacy of many antioxidants and additional bodies of research featuring other compounds there are natural solutions that enable the body to do wonderful things and allow for a robust and vibrant lifestyle well into your senior years. The science will continue to evolve and progress. The future is bright. VR References 1 Ferre P. The biology of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors relationship with lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Diabetes. 2004 Feb 53 Suppl 1S43-S50. 2 Delarue J LeFoll C Corporeau C Lucas D. N-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids a nutritional tool to prevent insulin resistance associated to type 2 diabetes and obesity Reprod Nutr Dev. 2004 May 44(3) 289-99. 3 Li H Ruan XZ Powis SH et al. EPA and DHA reduce LPS-induced inflammation responses in HK-2 cells evidence for a PPAR-gamma-dependent mechanism. Kidney Int. 2005 Mar 67(3) 867-74. 4 Fogelman Y Gaitini D Carmeli E. Antiatherosclerotic effects of licorice extract supplementation on hypercholesterolemic patients decreased CIMT reduced plasma lipid levels and decreased blood pressure. Food Nutr Res. 2016 60 30830-5 Mark Becker is an account manager for Vivion a raw materials distributor based in Vernon CA. He has worked as a natural products sales and marketing executive for 20 years. Becker has written more than 300 articles and has hosted or been a guest on more than 500 radio shows. He obtained a bachelor s in journalism from Long Beach State University and did his master s work in communications at Cal State Fullerton. For more than 30 years he has participated in numerous endurance events including more than 150 triathlons of Olympic distance or longer 103 marathons and numerous other events including ultramarathons and rough water swims from Alcatraz to the mainland. Follow Becker on Facebook at www.facebook.com marklbecker posts 3875918779 33686 energyatlast. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com becker_mark. For more information access www.vivioninc.com or www.energyatlast.com. DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM VITAMIN RETAILER 45 NATURALMEDICINE with Dr. Michael Murray B Y M ICHAEL T. M URRAY ND ne of the most popular natural products of all time is apple cider vinegar. Is this popularity appropriate or does it simply reflect a romantic attachment to folklore and historical use Specifically has science validated or refuted the medicinal use of apple cider vinegar The answers to these questions are that apple cider vinegar deserves to be respected for its health benefits and science has validated some of these medicinal effects. Before looking at what is currently known on the health benefits of apple cider vinegar (ACV) let s look at what exactly is ACV. Vinegars no matter what the starting source are produced when sugars in the starting material are metabolized by bacteria into alcohol and then to acetic acid-- a key ingredient in vinegar that is also responsible for giving it the sour taste. Fermenting apple juice or crushed O apples produces ACV. Just as apple juice can contain varying degrees of sediment and particles of apples so can ACV. It can be almost entirely free of sediment or contain brown particles of sediment called the Mother. This Mother is composed of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds enzymes trace minerals and various byproducts created from fermentation. What research studies on ACV indicate is that the compounds in the Mother are believed to be the source of the real magic of ACV. Health Benefits of ACV ACV has somewhat of a cult following for a lot of applications. For years it was used as a general intestinal tonic to improve digestion relieve gas and bloating and help with occasional heartburn. It was also used for its effect in balancing pH levels. Although a weak acid ACV promotes alkalinity in the body. The more recent uses have expanded into the areas of blood sugar control and weight loss. However even this use is not new as ACV was recommended as a weight-loss aid as early as the 1820s. Recent scientific investigations show ACV exerts several mechanisms helpful in improving carbohydrate metabolism. For example it has been shown to delay gastric emptying in healthy subjects and those with diabetes. Delaying gastric emptying helps slow down the absorption of glucose giving the body a chance to process it more effectively and avoiding spikes in blood sugar levels. ACV also has the ability to increase the uptake of glucose throughout the body but particularly in skeletal muscle. This improvement is via improving insulin action. This effect may also be helpful in promoting weight loss. Human clinical studies have validat- 46 VITAMIN RETAILER WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 ed these preliminary experimental results showing ACV can help improve blood sugar control and promote weight loss. In one doubleblind study published in 2009 in the medical journal Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry subjects were randomly assigned to three groups of similar body weight body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. During the 12-week treatment period the subjects in each group ingested 500 ml daily of a beverage containing either one tablespoon of vinegar 2 tablespoons of vinegar or a placebo. Body weight BMI visceral fat area waist circumference and serum triglyceride levels were significantly lower in both vinegar intake groups than in the placebo group. There was an average weight loss of two to four pounds in the subjects taking the vinegar. This weight loss may not seem significant but it must be kept in mind that there was no conscious effort on losing weight and subjects were instructed to make no major changes to their diet or activity levels. Therefore as part of a concerted effort with dietary changes and exercise this weight loss promoting effect of vinegar may be much greater. While some of these beneficial effects are related to acetic acid there are also studies that indicate that the Mother components exert additional benefits. For example in an animal study the beneficial effects of ACV supplementation on serum triglycerides total cholesterol liver and kidney membrane lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels were studied in mice fed a high cholesterol diet. Results showed quite clearly that ACV not only lowered blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels it also exerted a protective effect against red blood cell kidney and liver oxidative injury. It was able to produce these effects by exerting direct antioxidant effects as well as increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes. These later effects are not likely due to the acetic acid content but rather the presence of Mother compounds. cose by the liver. Hence taking an additional dosage at bedtime may also be helpful in both blood sugar control and weight loss. ACV Capsules and Tablets Many consumers prefer capsules and tablets to liquid ACV. There are several reasons including many people simply do not like the taste while others are concerned about the wellknown effect of ACV on eroding tooth enamel. While capsules and tablets of ACV are also quite popular it is a case of buyer beware with ACV dietary supplements because there are significant issues regarding ACV in capsules or tablets. The problem was highlighted in 2005 published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Results showed that all tested ACV products could not be verified to be derived from ACV. The chemical profile of ACV includes not just acetic acid but also malic citric and lactate acid. Yet none of the tested products had a chemical profile consistent with ACV. They were likely derived from chemical synthesis and not from apples. It is likely most ACV capsules and tablets on the marketplace contain only synthetic acetic acid (ranging from 1.04 percent to 10.57 percent of capsule or tablet weight). To achieve the full benefits noted with ACV it must be derived from apples in the form of a true fullspectrum concentrate of ACV and that the dosage provided is in fact equal to one fluid ounce of high-quality raw ACV including the Mother. Dosage Recommendations To take advantage of the effect of ACV to aid digestion as well as improve blood sugar control take it just prior to a meal at a dosage of 1 tablespoon or its equivalent in capsule or tablet form (see below) with a glass of water. In addition vinegar ingestion at bedtime has been shown to decrease fasting glucose levels in humans with type 2 diabetes suggesting an effect of ACV on reducing the body s own manufacture of glu- Is Black Vinegar Superior lack vinegar is an inky-black vinegar derived from fermented unpolished black or brown rice. While apple cider vinegar (ACV) is more popular in the United States black vinegar (BV) possesses even greater health-promoting properties as it contains considerably higher amounts of amino acids polyphenols trace minerals and organic acids than other vinegars including balsamic and ACV. Not surprisingly BV has been shown to possess the high antioxidant activity than ACV and other forms of vinegar. In addition other health benefits have been noted with BV especially in promotion of weight loss. For example a study in rats showed BV to possess a couple of very interesting anti-obesity effects. In the development of obesity the increase in the size of visceral fat cells leads to greater amounts of compounds that inhibit the action of insulin leading to the conse- B quences of insulin resistance. BV was shown to significantly reduce the size of fat cells compared to not only a control group but also a group that got the same corresponding amount of acetic acid. What the result means is that it was the additional compounds in BV and not acetic acid that was responsible for the effect on the fat cells. In the BV group the number of small adipocytes in the subcutaneous and visceral fat tissues were increased while the number of large adipocytes was decreased. BV also impacted key regulatory genomes involved in fat cell formation. Again these effects were related to compounds other than acetic acid most likely the phenolic compounds found in BV. Just as in selection of an ACV it appears critical that to ensure maximum benefit from a BV product it contains the full spectrum of other compounds. Final Comments To get the most benefit from ACV it appears that it must not only contain acetic acid but all of the other compounds typically found in the Mother. That recommendation is true whether the product is in liquid or pill form. VR Michael T. Murray ND is widely regarded as one of the world s leading authorities on natural medicine. A graduate former faculty member and serves on the Board of Regents of Bastyr University in Seattle Washington he is the author of more than 30 books on health nutrition. For more information visit www.doctormurray.com. DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM VITAMIN RETAILER 47 NEWPRODUCTS VR s New Products section is a FREE service to industry members. Send new product press releases and photos to Janet Poveromo Vitamin Retailer 431 Cranbury Road Ste. C East Brunswick NJ 08816 or email to JanetP VRMmedia.com Targeted Choice Liver Detox Vegetable Capsules SUGAR LAND TX--Bluebonnet s Targeted Choice Liver Detox formula contains a unique blend of amino acids and sustainably harvested or wild-crafted herbal extracts to support the body s detoxification elimination pathways by promoting a healthy liver and delivering effective antioxidant protection. It is non-GMO kosher-certified and free of most allergens. Thirty- and 60-count vegetable capsule bottles retail for 21.95 and 40.95 respectively. For more information call (800) 580-8866 or visit www.bluebonnetnutrition.com. Cusa Tea BOULDER CO-- Cusa Tea is the world s first premium instant tea. The company uses only highquality premium USDA Organic certified teas and fruits which it then cold steeps using a revolutionary technology that reduces the waste and chemical preservatives found in most ready to drink teas. Cusa Teas packets allow tea drinkers to create a premium cup of tea by simply mixing in hot or cold water allowing them to enjoy an instantaneous moment of peace anywhere on the planet. No steeping. No waiting. No mess--just pure organic tea. Cusa Tea is available in five tea varietals Organic English Breakfast Organic Oolong Tea Mango Green Tea Organic Green Tea and Lemon Black Tea. Each box of 10 individual servings retails for 9.99. For more information call (720) 949-1901 or visit www.cusatea.com. Super Daily K2 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS IL-- Super Daily K2 by Carlson Labs provides vitamin K2 as MK-7 an enhanced bioactive form of vitamin K that has superior retention in the body. Without vitamin K2 calcium can t adequately be processed in our body to help maintain strong healthy bones. Vitamin K2 activates certain proteins including osteocalcin and Matrix GLA Protein (MGP) which play a role in binding calcium to the bone matrix. Without an adequate amount of vitamin K2 a significant amount of osteocalcin will remain inactive and unable to bind calcium. Vitamin K2 as MK-7 also supports cardiovascular system health by promoting healthy blood clotting and directing calcium out of the bloodstream and arteries and into the bones. Just two drops of Super Daily K2 provide 45 mcg of MK-7. A 10.16-mL bottle retails for 29.90. For more information call (888) 234-5656 or visit www.carlsonlabs.com. K-Teas ATLANTA GA--Hailing from the heart of Atlanta K-Teas (by Flavor Purveyor LLC) was founded in Asia s rich tea tradition and inspired by the American cocktail and European cafes and spirits. Loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions are expertly blended to a subtle and nuanced perfection that rivals wine and craft beers. Taking great pleasure in deconstruction and building of flavor profiles banishing added flavors in favor of what inspired flavors in the first place the married couple behind K-Teas discovered a mutual love of tea on their first date. Continuing their passion in the spice markets of Istanbul on their honeymoon Katie and Dustin Watts founded K-Teas in their first year of marriage. Resealable bags of loose-leaf tea (0.7 oz. to 3.8 oz.) have an MSRP ranging from 9.99- 14.99 while single sachets of mulling spices retail for 4.99 each. For more information call (703) 203-2028 or visit www.k-teas.com. Crave Crush NEW YORK NY--Crave Crush is a lozenge that helps stop sugar cravings in seconds as it dissolves on your tongue. It binds to sweet taste receptors suppresses sweet taste and helps reduce sugar cravings. Crave Crush is also patented (Patent 9585905 9421217). Fifteen- 30- and 60 count bottles have MSRPs of 17.99 34.99 and 59.99 respectively. For more information call (646) 793-9110 or visit www.cravecrush.com. 48 VITAMIN RETAILER Green SuperFoods NEWPORT CA--Make your holiday spirit green with these limited edition seasonal Amazing Grass Green SuperFoods offered in Pumpkin Spice Holiday Cookie and Chocolate Peppermint. All three of the flavor offerings feature a powerful blend of organic greens nutritious fruits and vegetables plus a prebiotic and probiotic digestive blend for a simple festive and delicious way to feel amazing every day. Canisters ranging from 7.4 to 8.5 oz. retail for 29.99 each. For more information call (866) 472-7711 or visit www.amazinggrass.com. WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 NEWPRODUCTS MigraineX COLD SPRING HARBOR NY--From the makers of EarPlanes (Cirrus Healthcare Products LLC) comes MigraineX a natural drug-free reusable earplug device that is clinically proven to help reduce weather-related migraine pain and symptoms. MigraineX is to be used with the mobile app which is available for free in the iTunes store and Google Play or by scanning the QR code on the back of the MigraineX box. The app will provide users with alerts for 24 hours including when to put in the MigraineX ear plugs CeramX filter slows the pressure change in a person s head as it happens. According to a clinical study by the Princeton Consumer Research MigraineX provides relief for migraine and headache symptoms for 81 percent of sufferers when paired with regular migraine medication. One pair of ear plugs has an MSRP of 11.99. For more information call (631) 692-7600 or visit www.migrainex.net. Blood Builder Minis MANCHESTER NH--MegaFood Blood Builder Minis (by FoodState) are the same formula as Blood Builder except in an easier-to-swallow two-a-day variation. Blood Builder was shown in an eight-week clinical trial to increase iron levels in individuals with low iron without causing nausea or constipation . The Minis two-aday tablet size is ideal for those who have trouble with digesting tablets. Blood Builder Minis are a gentle and effective potency of FoodState Iron (26 mg serving) with B12 and folate vitamins to help maintain healthy red blood cell production. Blood Builder is safe for menstruating women including teenage girls pregnant women vegans and vegetarians athletes and recent blood donors all of whom are at increased risk of iron deficiency and naturally combats fatigue and improves energy levels . Crafted using MegaFood s SloFood Process with FoodState beetroot from Stahlbush Island Farms and FoodState Vitamin C from Uncle Matt s Organic oranges. Sixty tablets (a 30-day supply) retail for 21.56. Other sizes are also available including 30 90 and 180 counts. This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose treat cure or prevent any disease. Study Details at BloodBuilder.com. Magic Mitt GREAT BARRINGTON MA-- Magic Mitt by jane iredale (Iredale Mineral Cosmetics Ltd.) is a knitted micro-fiber cleansing cloth. The Magic Mitt quickly and completely removes makeup using no cleanser. Made from a new generation of specially knitted micro-fibers many times thinner than a human hair the Magic Mitt safely penetrates skin s oil films. This hydro-mechanical process breaks the surface tension of the oils that bond makeup to the skin while the fibers gently exfoliate. This cleansing process promotes the health of the skin as it does not affect the skin s natural acid mantle. It retails for 15. For more information call (877) 869-9420 or visit www.janeiredale.com. For more information call (800) 848-2542 or visit www.megafood.com. Fig Bars UKIAH CA--Inspired by the enthusiasm for Pamela s Figgies & Jammies Big Fig makes gluten-free (GF) snacking seamless. These individually wrapped bars are perfect for traveling packing a healthy lunch or for a mid-day GF snack. Each Big Fig bar is jam-packed with real Mission figs and all ingredients are sourced from trusted farmers who grow Non-GMO crops. Big Fig is available in three different flavors Mission Fig Raspberry & Fig and Blueberry & Fig. It comes in a four-pack (MSRP 3.99) or each 1.41-oz. bar can retail separately for 99 cents. For more information call (707) 462-6605 or visit www.pamelasproducts.com. Brain Attention BLOOMINGDALE IL--NOW has introduced Brain Attention Chewables a cutting-edge cognitive support supplement that can help maintain healthy brain functions in both children and adults. Brain Attention features Cera-Q a silk protein derivative. Research shows that Cera-Q has a unique molecular structure that enables it to easily interact with existing proteins in the human brain. This remarkable activity has been shown in early studies to support normal brain activities including memory learning attention focus and more. Natural Chocolate Flavored Chewables are available in 60 count bottles with a MSRP of 37.99. The serving size is one chewable which contains 200 mg Cera-Q Silk Protein Hydrolysate Complex. This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose treat cure or prevent any disease. Prenatal Energy Drink Mix PROVIDENCE RI--Premama s Prenatal Energy Drink Mix provides expecting moms with a pregnancy-safe natural boost of energy without any caffeine. This drink mix is formulated with fiber to curb fatigue omega-3 to boost mood and B vitamins to naturally boost energy and help soothe the side effects of morning sickness. It comes as a refreshing watermelon flavored drink mix that is gluten free vegetarian and non-GMO. Each box contains 28 packets for an MSRP of 19.99. For more information call (401) 383-0299 or visit www.drinkpremama.com. WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 For more information call (888) 669-3663 or visit www.nowfoods.com. 50 VITAMIN RETAILER OFFTHEPRESS Book Publishers--Submit new books to Janet Poveromo Vitamin Retailer 431 Cranbury Road Ste. C East Brunswick NJ 08816 JanetP VRMmedia.com Activated Charcoal for Health 100 Amazing and Unexpected Uses for Activated Charcoal Activated charcoal--a medicinal-grade powder most commonly made from coconut shell--has endless health and beauty benefits. In Activated Charcoal for Health readers will discover everything this all-natural powder can do--from combating chronic diseases to providing relief for common ailments. With its antifungal antiviral and antibacterial properties activated charcoal can be used for many things such as clearing up acne disinfecting wounds helping to prevent hangovers treating bad breath and body odor and even providing a digestive cleanse. According to the book it s even great for whitening teeth balancing oily skin exfoliating and cleansing hair. With this handy guide readers will learn how to incorporate activated charcoal into their daily life and reap its benefits--without the use of chemicals or costly procedures. Author Britt Brandon CFNS CPT Pages 128 Price 12.99 (paperback) Publisher Adams Media Contact Bethany Carland-Adams (508) 205-1607 ADVERTISERINDEX ADVERTISER Autism Hope Alliance Balchem Albion Bluebonnet Nutrition Corp. Carlson Laboratories Inc. Continental Vitamin Company Dr. Willard s Emerald Health Bioceuticals EuroPharma Terry Naturally Horphag Research Trading Ltd. Natural Factors Natural Factors Natural Factors NAXA North American Herb & Spice Now Foods (Personal Care) Scandinavian Formulas Inc. Wakunaga of America Xlear Inc. PAGE 11 19 C4 33 7 23 13 31 37 9 15 17 21 C2 C3 5 1 3 PHONE (800) 891-9077 (801) 773-4631 (281) 240-3332 (847) 255-1600 (800) 421-6175 (605) 343-8100 (866) 993-6372 (866) 598-5487 (201) 459-0300 (800) 322-8704 (800) 322-8704 (800) 322-8704 (713) 502-9141 (800) 243-5242 (888) 669-3663 (800) 688-2276 (949) 855-2776 (877) 599-5327 WEB www.vitaminretailer.com autismhopealliance www.vitaminretailer.com balchem www.vitaminretailer.com bluebonnet www.vitaminretailer.com carlson www.vitaminretailer.com cvc www.vitaminretailer.com drwillards www.vitaminretailer.com emeraldhealthbio www.vitaminretailer.com europharma www.vitaminretailer.com horphag www.vitaminretailer.com naturalfactors www.vitaminretailer.com naturalfactors www.vitaminretailer.com naturalfactors www.vitaminretailer.com naxa www.vitaminretailer.com nahs www.vitaminretailer.com nowsolutions www.vitaminretailer.com scandinavian www.vitaminretailer.com wakunaga www.vitaminretailer.com xlear INDUSTRYEVENTS January 26-28 2018 The Mexican Healthy Products Summit Sheraton Buganvillas Resort and Convention Center Puerto Vallarta Mexico www.healthyproductssummit.com February 1-3 2018 ShiftCon Social Media Conference Hotel Irvine Irvine CA www.shiftconmedia.com March 7-11 2018 Natural Products Expo West Anaheim Hilton & Marriott Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim CA www.expowest.com DECEMBER 2017 WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM VITAMIN RETAILER 51 Back Talk THIS MONTH Mark Timon entered the nutrition industry in 1971 and designed more than 450 nutritional supplements for other companies before founding Vibrant Health in 1992. His formulations are noteworthy for their completeness and synergistic balance. They are based on rigorous research and study in combination with his experience in clinical nutrition. Here he discusses his most recent book and offers advice to retailers. WITH JANET POVEROMO thing from McDonald s or from Dunkin Donuts is expedient but irresponsible. Chemistry is chemistry as my short chapter on Jim Fixx illustrates. Your biochemistry must be fed the proper bioactive chemicals in order to function at optimal level thereby supporting optimal health. As Richard Talbot a wonderful nutritionist I knew in the 1970s used to say Eating is a duty. One must get one s recreation elsewhere. As I try to embed that concept in the reader s mind I take excursions through our Paleolithic history the dangers of red meats the various questions surrounding grains clues your gut tells you the dangers of sugar and touch on a few key dietary supplements that can help right the ship. You are also expert at providing information on health disorders that you call treatable and beatable. What are your recommendations The body heals itself. It does so with nutrients that it derives from good food. Although we live in a complex environment that impacts our health with multiple assaults from environmental toxins to stress to electromagnetic frequencies from all the electronic gear in our pockets and before our eyes the primary source of one s health derives directly from the diet. I know that sounds simplistic but it s true. If you leave a few key nutrients out of your diet some biochemical system is bound to deteriorate taking your joints your muscles your brain your vision your immunity your digestion skin and or endocrine balance with it. Eat organically raised foods with the emphasis on plant foods. Avoid red meat (fish and poultry are okay). Avoid grains. Avoid alcohol. Avoid sugar. Vibrant Health is probably best known for the Green Vibrance product. What made it a standout What new products formulations have you seen or worked on recently that you think should have the same longevity and impact Question Answer Mark Timon MS Clinical Nutrition Founder and Formulator Vibrant Health 1 Waterview Dr. Ste. 103 Shelton CT 06484 Phone (800) 242-1835 Email mtimon vibranthealth.com supply was fading. I knew that human biochemistry expected to receive a relatively massive dose of micronutrients per calorie eaten. Therefore the goal was to assemble the proper ingredients that would feed our Paleolithic nutrition with high nutrient density per calorie. Two of the newer products introduced by Vibrant Health deserve a good word. One is Vibrant Flora Improved Bowel Support (IBS) and the other is BULLSEYE a botanical antimicrobial supplement. Vibrant Flora IBS provides fermentable fibers and 100 billion probiotics per serving along with some anti-inflammatories and other key nutrients to help heal and rebuild the lining of the colon. BULLSEYE combines cinnamic acid and extracts of eucalyptus cat s claw rosemary clove lemon balm pomegranate thyme and jambolan into a formula that can be used to help maintain the homeostatic balance in the gastrointestinal tract. How can retailers successfully aid customers nutrition needs This is the time to refocus to work as closely as possible with your customers buying dietary supplements. Stock the best highest quality supplements as your first priority making the discounts you may obtain on them a secondary consideration. Stock your shelves for your customers benefit and then teach them why the supplements you are offering are the best in their class. Sculpt a dietary supplement regimen whenever you can for your individual customers that will truly benefit their health. These actions will have several positive effects. They will create appreciative loyal customers. By stocking the best supplements you will also send an important message back to supplement manufacturers that quality rather than the deepest discounts is first and foremost among your considerations. Question Answer You are working on Clueless How to Eat for Optimal Health. What are some of your main points in this new book In Clueless I try to capture the reader s imagination with little vignettes at the beginning of each chapter illustrating how we used to live versus how we live today showing how today s living habits shoot down our health. Perhaps that will help lead readers to the realization that food is not entertainment despite all the marketing and advertisements to the contrary. This is not to say that food cannot be pleasant and enjoyable but people need to approach eating from the aspect of responsibility and not expediency. Grabbing some52 VITAMIN RETAILER Question Answer Question Extra Extra To read this article in its entirety visit www.vitaminretailer.com. Answer The concept behind Green Vibrance made it a worthwhile product. I noticed the nutrient density of our food WWW.VITAMINRETAILER.COM DECEMBER 2017 Go to www.vitaminretailer.com nowsolutions for info about this advertiser Go to www.vitaminretailer.com bluebonnet for info about this advertiser